Christians come to aid of Kosovo refugees
Help is pouring into Albania, and Macedonia
By ChristianWeek staff
The Canadian church has stepped in to help the hundreds of thousands of refugees displaced from Kosovo to Albania and other locations.
The Kosovar refugees, most of whom left with only as much as they could carry, need everything from food and shelter to medical supplies. Despite the massive upheaval and movement, the cycle of life goes on: babies are born in tents, the elderly die, and disease is a risk. Children and adults alike are on the brink of malnutrition.
Church denominations, relief organizations and missions are trying to help in whatever way they can, by collecting donations of money and supplies. Members of the Canadian Council of Churches, for example, are working both independently and cooperatively to collect funds, clothing, grain, refugee kits and other items, as well as preparing to accept refugees into Canada.
In Albania, Greater Europe Mission’s involvement in the Albania Bible Institute in Durres led to cancelling a semester of classes and opening the college to refugees.
In asking for financial help, Canadian director Neil Rempel acknowledges that "this may not be in your normal giving area." But, he points out, "This is not our normal kind of work. These are not normal circumstances."
International Teams sent director Geoff Tunnicliffe and Vancouver physician Mitch Fagan to Albania and Macedonia this month to assess the refugee situation and other needs, and to deliver medicines. IT has had a strong association with the Albanian church since the first churches were planted in Albania in1991.
Among the groups providing help to refugees are:
- Adventist Development and Relief Agency–1-888-274-2372
- Anglican Church of Canada–416-924-9199 x 321
- Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec–416-622-8600
- Campus Crusade for Christ–1-888-826-3506
- Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace–1-800-494-1401
- Canadian Lutheran World Relief–1-800-661-2597
- Christian Reformed World Relief Committee–1-800-730-3490
- Greater Europe Mission–905-728-8222
- Greek Orthodox Church–416-429-4588
- Inter-Church Action–416-461-3634 x 5092
- International Teams–519-748-6000
- Mennonite Central Committee–204-261-6381
- Presbyterian World Service and Development–416-441-1111
- Reformed Church in America–519-622-1777
- The Salvation Army–1-888-321-3433
- United Church of Canada–416-231-7680 x 5092
- World Vision Canada–1-800-268-1650