CCAS-Seminary students helping villagers in American Samoa

In response to the three natural disasters that have devastated much of Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands in just three days, the United Church of Christ on Oct. 1 set a goal of $250,000 for relief, recovery and rehabilitation aid within the region.

Funds raised will be shared with UCC partners to provide relief, recovery and rehabilitation aid throughout the region.  

"Our heartfelt prayers go out to the people of Southeast Asia and the Pacific. We are especially mindful of our partner churches as they struggle to find the means to continue to do ministry in Jesus' name with all of the people there," said the Rev. Geoffrey A. Black, UCC general minister and president. "I trust that we in the United Church of Christ will continue to be generous in sharing the gifts that God has given us to address the urgency of this situation. We know that the suffering is immense and we only hope that we can be a major part of the efforts to alleviate that suffering."

The first disaster, Typhoon Ketsana, roared across the Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia. By Monday, Sept. 28, more than 300 people were confirmed dead. Local leaders are fearful that the number will rise.

In the Philippines, Ketsana caused the worst flooding in some 40 years. Officials said 2.3 million homes were flooded and more than 400,000 people sought help in relief centers. The storm destroyed or damaged more than 300,000 homes and flattened crops in Vietnam, and toppled houses in Cambodia. The UCC is working with the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, the National Council of Churches in the Philippines, Church World Service (CWS) and other Action by Churches Together (ACT) partners.

Samoa, American Samoa, and Tonga are reeling from the effects of a deep sea earthquake-triggered tsunami that his Tuesday morning, Sept. 29. More than 100 people are dead, with officials concerned that the toll will rise as workers reach the villages submerged by the waves.

The tsunami was caused by an 8.0-magnitude quake in the Pacific Ocean 120 miles off the coast of the islands. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawai'i issued an alert, but the waves followed the quake so quickly that residents had about 10 minutes' warning. Cars, debris, bodies, and parts of buildings were strewn over the area as the waves receded.

"A mother with four young children clung to a tree when the waves came, but was not able to hold on to all of them," said ACT Development's Faautu Talapusi, based in Samoa. "Two drowned and one was injured. Such stories are heard all over the island."

"Many of the dead are children. They were walking along the beach roads to school. Elderly people were hit, since they were not able to run," she added.

On Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 30, and Thursday morning, Oct. 1, two earthquakes – 7.6 and 6.8 on the Richter scale -- hit Sumatra Island, Indonesia, in the area of Padang. As of Thursday afternoon, the death toll from the Indonesian quakes had reached more than 1,100 people. More than 700 buildings have collapsed or were badly damaged. Church World Service anticipates providing initial emergency supplies and developing long-term response plans once needs become clearer, said Donna Derr, CWS director of emergency response.

According to Susan Sanders, the UCC's OGHS administrator, the UCC responds to a disaster, on average, about once every two-and-a-half days. "To have three major disasters, in the same general area of the world, three days in a row is unprecedented in my experience," she said. "I'm grateful we have such a large, capable network of partners who are able to respond immediately, with assistance from OGHS gifts."

The Rev. M. Linda Jaramillo, executive minister of the UCC's Justice and Witness Ministries, praised the UCC's disaster response to the Pacific events this week and its appeal for financial assistance. "The generosity of UCC members toward our historic mission partners is greatly appreciated," she said.

"With this weekend's scheduled Neighbors in Need offering, we are aware that response to this disaster is an additional 'ask,'" said Jaramillo. "I pray it will be and occasion for each of us to explore the depth of our generosity and compassion, and our thanks for what we have been given."

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