Haiti: Setbacks for rebuilding efforts
Prime Minister Garry Conille has resigned and existing reconstruction contracts will be honoured - but no new contracts can be signed. Only a tiny proportion of international donor money for Haiti Earthquake victims has gone to the government, largely because of corruption and unruliness; therefore 300,000 people still live in tent cities in Port-au-Prince. There has been a perverse incentive for some to remain in tents because of the high level of public services provided by international NGOs. These agencies provide basic sanitation, health and education services in the camps, but they are not set up to rebuild infrastructure for a major city. Providing public sanitation for example is the role of government. Christian Aid advocated international donors funding should go directly to the Haitian government and corruption could be allayed by careful monitoring.’
Pray: for political stability and discernment, for wise government management and distribution of donor funding. (Is.34:22)
India: Plight of Christians from Burma
On March 6th a Washington report, ‘Seeking Refuge’ highlighted 100,000 Chin People seeking refuge in Mizoram State, India. Leading refugee and human rights experts are calling on Mizoram State to respond to the protection and humanitarian crisis. The refugees face serious problems related to livelihood, health, and education. The Chins seeking refuge make up almost 10% of Mizoram's population, which is 95% Christian. The Chins in Mizoram have been out of sight and out of mind from the international community because of long standing travel restrictions to the region and because UNHCR has had no access to Mizoram. The delegation responsible for this report was only able to assess the protracted, urban refugee situation after the central government of India lifted the travel restrictions. Chins from Burma have no status or protection under the law and many suffer chronic economic insecurity, lacking adequate and stable shelter, food security, health and education.
Pray: that God will lead Mizoram State and the Indian Government into avenues of humanitarian ministry to its refugees. (Joel 2:19)
More: http://www.worldea.org/index.php/news/3905
OM raising funds to keep ship ministry afloat
Through the generosity of a partner of OM's ship ministry, a 1 to 2 matching grant of up to $3 million has been made available to keep Logos Hope sailing into the future. Having recently celebrated three years of active service, OM's flagship Logos Hope requires significant technical work to ensure the vessel can continue to bring knowledge, help and hope to the one million people that the ship ministry reaches on average every year. OM Ships International began in 1970 as part of the global Christian training and outreach movement, Operation Mobilisation (OM) and is well-known for providing educational and Christian literature in ports around the world. To enable completion of this critical work, over $8 million in funding is needed for this year's planned dry-dock work and the Power Up Logos Hope project, which will replace two generators and the electrical switchboard on the ship in 2013, and install a heat recovery system..
Praise: God for the amazing work of OM’s ship ministry and the many thousands that have been ministered to over the years. Thanks also for the generosity of the partners' funding. (Pro.11:25)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/om.raising.funds.to.keep.ship.ministry.afloat/29415.htm
OM raising funds to keep ship ministry afloat
Through the generosity of a partner of OM's ship ministry, a 1 to 2 matching grant of up to $3 million has been made available to keep Logos Hope sailing into the future. Having recently celebrated three years of active service, OM's flagship Logos Hope requires significant technical work to ensure the vessel can continue to bring knowledge, help and hope to the one million people that the ship ministry reaches on average every year. OM Ships International began in 1970 as part of the global Christian training and outreach movement, Operation Mobilisation (OM) and is well-known for providing educational and Christian literature in ports around the world. To enable completion of this critical work, over $8 million in funding is needed for this year's planned dry-dock work and the Power Up Logos Hope project, which will replace two generators and the electrical switchboard on the ship in 2013, and install a heat recovery system..
Praise: God for the amazing work of OM’s ship ministry and the many thousands that have been ministered to over the years. Thanks also for the generosity of the partners' funding. (Pro.11:25)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/om.raising.funds.to.keep.ship.ministry.afloat/29415.htm