Asia-Pacific Disaster Response
“O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me” (Psalm 30:2).
Dear Friends,
Over the past two months, a surge of COVID-19 cases has ravaged India. The country has officially recorded over 20 million cases and 220,000 deaths. On April 30, India reported over 400,000 new COVID-19 cases, the highest daily count in any country during the pandemic. Thousands of deaths are documented each day, yet the actual number is suspected to be much higher. I’m writing to you today because, to respond, we need your help.
Padhar Hospital, a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Madhya Pradesh, has a ward dedicated to COVID-19 patients. Unfortunately, the hospital is currently being forced to turn away patients because it lacks the space and oxygen to support them.
Lutheran Disaster Response is helping Padhar Hospital purchase an oxygen generator for its COVID-19 ward so it can treat more patients and not have to turn away people suffering with COVID-19.
Last year, Lutheran Disaster Response supplied Padhar Hospital with the funds to purchase a ventilator and monitoring equipment. But as another wave of COVID-19 sweeps through India, the needs are increasing. The work of Padhar Hospital is just one example of how our companions and faith-based partners continue to bring relief to communities during the pandemic. For the past year, Lutheran Disaster Response has continuously supported companion churches and partners throughout India as they raise awareness about COVID-19, provide personal protective equipment and distribute sanitation supplies to vulnerable communities. Your contributions to Lutheran Disaster Response will support its crucial work.
Together, we can help provide immediate support for people impacted by COVID-19 throughout India and the Asia-Pacific region. Please join me in prayer and partnership.
What you can do:
Pray: please pray for communities in India and around the world impacted by COVID-19. May God's healing presence give them peace and hope in their time of need. Pray that God will deliver comfort to those who mourn and strength to those working diligently to contain the fires and care for affected communities.
Give: Please give today. Your gifts ensure that our church will be able to provide help and hope for those impacted by the COVID-19 crisis in India. Gifts designated for “Asia-Pacific Disaster Response” will be used entirely (100%) for direct response to COVID-19 in India and to other disasters in the region.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. Your gifts are tax deductible as allowed by law. The ELCA's tax identification number is 41-1568278.
Other Ways To Give
Are you eligible for matching gifts through your employer?
Give through your congregation
Make checks payable to your congregation, write “Lutheran Disaster Response” in the memo line, and place your gift in the offering plate.
Mail your donation
Make checks payable to “Lutheran Disaster Response” and mail to:
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
P.O. Box 1809
Merrifield, VA 22116-8009
Give by phone
800-638-3522
Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm central time
Online at: https://www.elca.org/Our-Work/Relief-and-Development/Lutheran-Disaster-Response/Our-Impact/AsiaPacific-Disaster-Response