Bishop Allin Pleads For Cambodian Relief
Episcopal News Service. October 18, 1979 [79304]
New York -- Presiding Bishop John M. Allin has issued a call for Episcopalians to help battle a threat of starvation that looms over 2. 5 million Cambodians.
At the urgent request of the Rev. J. Fletcher Lowe, chairman of the Church's Hunger Committee and the staff of the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief, Bishop Allin has sent a mailgram to all diocesan bishops of the church asking them to enjoin their congregations to contribute to the Fund's effort to aid a massive international relief effort that is being mounted.
Bishop Allin vowed that "the Fund will work with the appropriate international agencies to assure responsible, direct delivery of aid to our brothers and sisters in need." UNICEF, the International Red Cross and OXFAM are attempting to raise more than $100 million for the relief campaign.
In his mailgram, Bishop Allin pointed out that the Fund had sent. $10,000 in emergency aid to Cambodia two months ago before the dimensions of the crisis were fully known.
The recent civil war there devastated the economy and left the country unable to feed its people for at least six months until a crop can be brought in. Experts estimate that it will take at least 180,000 tons of food just to maintain a subsistence diet for the 2.5 million directly affected. In addition, medical supplies, agricultural equipment and food delivery systems will be needed.
Persons who wish to contribute to this campaign should send their contributions to the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief, The Episcopal Church Center, 815 Second Ave., New York, NY 10017. Checks should be designated "For Cambodian Relief."