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IOCC Reaches Out in Aftermath of Storms and Earthquakes

Photo by David Fine/FEMAPhoto by David Fine/FEMATwo recent IOCC press releases explain how the pan-Orthodox organization is reaching out to regions battered by storms and earthquakes, both in the United States and abroad.

April 29, 2011

Baltimore, MD (IOCC) — Following a historic series of storms in the southern United States that claimed the lives of more than 200 people, International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) has been in contact with Orthodox Christian communities and partner organizations in several U.S. States to assess the needs of survivors.

"While some areas of the United States have been unseasonably dry and experiencing widespread fires, there have been reports of more than 750 tornadoes already this year," says IOCC Executive Director Constantine Triantafilou. "We have been contacting Orthodox hierarchs and parishes, ecumenical partners, and local authorities in communities across the South and Midwest to assess the needs and offer our support."

May 4, 2011

Baltimore, MD (IOCC) — International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) announced its support for efforts by Christian churches in Japan to provide housing for as many as 1,000 families in the Japanese prefectures hardest hit by the tsunami – Miyagi, Fukushima and Iwate.

Working together with Church World Service and in support of the National Christian Council in Japan and the Japan Lutheran Emergency Relief, assistance is being provided to match families with offers of housing made by member churches. The housing service is being administered by the National Christian Council in Japan at its central office in Tokyo and local churches are assisting in matching families who are in need of housing in the affected prefectures.

IOCC is providing $100,000 toward the planned $1 million initiative. In addition to providing housing, families participating in the program will be provided with transportation, solar light sets, basic household items and utility expenses for a two month period.

Hundreds of thousands of people were made homeless following the 9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami that struck Japan on March 11. Thousands more have been displaced by evacuations due to the damage to nuclear power plants.

In addition to the housing initiative, IOCC continues to be in dialogue with the Orthodox Church in Japan regarding their efforts to provide assistance in the affected areas, especially some of the long-term needs that are anticipated by the Church.

IOCC and Church World Service are members of the ACT Alliance, a global coalition of churches and agencies engaged in development, humanitarian assistance and advocacy.

 


 

To make a gift to help those impacted by these natural disasters, please visit IOCC's website or call toll free at 1-877-803-IOCC (4622), or mail a check or money order payable to IOCC, P.O. Box 630225, Baltimore, Md. 21263-0225.