Islamabad, Pakistan — Although millions of people in flood-devastated southern Pakistan are still in dire need a year after massive flooding in 2010 and 2011, the humanitarian community and Pakistani government are working rigorously to help recover lives and livelihoods and to reconstruct the homes of survivors. But more support is urgently needed, as the country now enters what is …
CWS emergency appeal: Pakistan displacement 2012 (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province)
May 17, 2012
Appeal #: 700-D CWS appeal goal: $854,638 Situation: Due to increasing military operations against militants in tribal regions and other parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province (northern Pakistan), residents have begun evacuating to safer regions. The city of Peshawar and its surrounding areas as well as Jalozai camp in Nowshera are the primary destinations for these displaced people. Jalozai camp has …
Sheila McGeehan: resettling refugees in Lancaster, Pa., for 25 years
May 14, 2012
Not many people can claim to have resettled thousands upon thousands of refugees to their hometown – but Sheila McGeehan can. Since she began her work with the Church World Service Immigration and Refugee Program (CWS/IRP) 25 years ago, she has introduced refugees from all around the world to Lancaster, Pa. – the “tranquil, prosperous, safe, pretty” city she loves. …
CWS emergency appeal: Sahel (Africa) food crisis
May 9, 2012
Appeal #: 642-N Appeal goal: $100,000 Situation: Unusually low rainfall has devastated food crops across the Sahel, a vast African region south of the Sahara desert. An estimated 15.5 million people are now affected by food insecurity in Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, the Gambia, Mauritania and Senegal. As conditions continue to deteriorate, more than 1 million children under the …
Church World Service CEO John McCullough receives United Methodist Church Council of Bishops ecumenical award
May 2, 2012
Editors: Downloadable high-res photo of Rev. McCullough. TAMPA, Fla. – The Rev. John L. McCullough, executive director and chief executive officer of humanitarian agency Church World Service, was honored Tuesday evening (May 1) by his denomination the United Methodist Church for outstanding global ecumenical leadership. A tribute bestowed every four years, McCullough received the Council of Bishops Ecumenical Award for …
CWS emergency situation report: Chaco (Paraguay) floods
April 26, 2012
Situation: Three weeks of record-setting rains have caused floods affecting more than 40,000 people in the Chaco region of Paraguay. The majority of those affected are those living in indigenous communities, many of whom have seen their livelihoods destroyed due to the loss of animals and crops. Others are facing difficulties because the affected areas are isolated, and accessible roads …
World Refugee Day 2012 Insert
Did you know that half the worlds 15+ million refugees now live in cities? World Refugee Day is June 20, and Church World Service is using the occasion to call attention to the world’s growing population of “urban refugees.” Download our flyer/congregational bulletin insert useable at events and worship services on and around June 20. Read about Antoinette N., a …
Long term disaster recovery webinars
On May 1 and 2, beginning at 1 p.m. Eastern time, the Emergency Response Specialists from Church World Service will present a series of free webinars covering the basics of disaster long term recovery. Each webinar session will be 60 to 75 minutes long, with a 15-minute break between sessions. Attendees may register for the series at www.cwserp.org or by …
Church World Service praises new U.S. initiative putting child survival as top priority
April 25, 2012
WASHINGTON, DC — Humanitarian agency Church World Service has said it is encouraged by the Monday announcement of a new initiative and commitment by the United States to put global child survival as a top priority. Following USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah’s announcement of the agency’s new campaign called “Every Child Deserves a 5th Birthday,” Church World Service Executive Director and …
Lawmakers to receive grades on climate change at April 24 Earth Week climate vigil in D.C.
April 23, 2012
WASHINGTON, DC – This year’s commemoration of Earth Week will include a report card day on Capitol Hill when Church World Service and a coalition of faith based advocates present members of Congress with “ethical report cards” grading them on their handling of the climate emergency during a planned April 24 climate change vigil. As part of its participation in …