Anglican Church Partners Respond to Wildfires in Australia

Anglican Church Partners Respond to Wildfires in Australia

Web Statement

January 23, 2020

Episcopal Relief & Development is supporting the Anglican Board of Mission, the national mission agency of the Anglican Church of Australia, in response to the devastating wildfires that have affected every province in the country. 

In New South Wales alone, fires have consumed almost 5 million hectares of wildlife, parks and land, destroying more than 1,300 houses and forcing thousands to seek shelter elsewhere. The fires are a result of months of record-breaking temperatures and drought impacting areas in the states of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania, as well as the Australian Capital Territory. 

The Anglican Board of Mission (ABM) is in touch with the impacted local dioceses in Australia, particularly those with rural communities and identifying target needs to provide support for the fires. The respective diocesean disaster committees are working to assess the damage and to help their communities respond and rebuild.

“Episcopal Relief & Development offers this solidarity grant as a way to extend our love, support and prayers for people affected by the wildfires in Australia,” said Nagulan Nesiah, Senior Program Officer, Disaster Risk and Reduction, for Episcopal Relief & Development. ”We know these funds will further ABM’s work to help communities recover.”

Please continue to pray for those affected by this emergency. Donations to the Disaster Response Fund will help Episcopal Relief & Development continue to provide emergency assistance to individuals and families affected by these wildfires, as well as the disasters in the Philippines and the earthquakes in Puerto Rico.

 

 

   A PRAYER AS FIRES BLAZE

   All things look to you, O Lord,

   to give them their food in due season:

   look in mercy on your people,

   and hear our prayer for those whose lives and possessions are threatened by fire.

   Give protection and wisdom to fire fighters and other emergency service personnel.

   Encourage our generosity to those who suffer loss.

   In your mercy restore your creation and heal our land.

   So guide and bless your people,

   that we may enjoy the fruits of the earth

   and give you thanks with grateful hearts,

   through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

Adapted from: A Prayer Book for Australia, Broughton Books, 1999, page 205.

 

For over 75 years, Episcopal Relief & Development has been working together with supporters and partners for lasting change around the world. Each year the organization facilitates healthier, more fulfilling lives for more than 3 million people struggling with hunger, poverty, disaster and disease. Inspired by Jesus’ words in Matthew 25, Episcopal Relief & Development leverages the expertise and resources of Anglican and other partners to deliver measurable and sustainable change in three signature program areas: Women, Children and Climate.