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Relief Efforts For Cambodians Stepped Up

Episcopal News Service. November 1, 1979 [79320]

NEW YORK -- A network of Episcopal Church diocesan leaders -- including bishops, world relief chairmen, and heads of hunger committees -- have been enlisted to provide "effective action in mobilizing relief efforts" on behalf of Cambodian refugees, according to the Rev. Samir J. Habiby, director of the Presiding Bishops' Fund for World Relief.

A mailgram was sent to diocesan chairmen of world relief and hunger committees in late October as a follow-up to an appeal on Oct. 18 for funds by the Rt. Rev. John M. Allin, Presiding Bishop.

Father Habiby's message to Church leaders said that while President Carter's pledge of $70 million in relief for Cambodians is "most welcome," the tragic truth is that "the actual immediate need is estimated at $200 million."

Father Habiby reported that a delegation from the World Council of Churches and Church World Service -- the international relief and development arm of the National Council of Churches -- has met with representatives of the Cambodian government. He said that the Rev. Gene Lewis Clauved has been assigned to Phnom Penh as the Churches' representative.

He said that the refugee and relief commission of the World Council of Churches and other agencies "are moving vigorously forward in air lifting food and medicine to Cambodia, and we are assured that such food and assistance will indeed be given directly to the suffering people of Cambodia."

Most of the Episcopal Church's contributions will be channelled through Church World Service and the World Council of Churches, he said, but "we will at the same time fully cooperate with the appropriate relief agencies in the implementation of direct delivery of aid."

The staff of the Presiding Bishop's Fund works closely with the National Hunger Committee and the Hunger Staff Officer at the Episcopal Church Center in New York City, the Rev. Charles Cesaretti, "in mobilizing the Church's response to the needs in Cambodia," he said.