Baltimore, MD, May 4, 2011
International Orthodox Christian Charities [IOCC] announced on May 4, 2011 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 $100,000.00 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 left 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.
Donations to IOCC's International Emergency Response Fund, which provides immediate relief as well as long-term support through the provision of emergency aid, recovery assistance and other support to help those in need may be made on-line at www.iocc.org, by calling 1-877-803-4622 1-877-803-4622 toll free, or by mailing a check or money order payable to IOCC to PO Box 630225, Baltimore, MD 21263-0225.
