News
Receiving news of the earthquake in Indonesia on 27 May, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia assured both WCC member churches there and the country's president of the WCC's sympathy and solidarity.
"WCC member churches also share your grief in this tragedy, and are committed and ready to contribute in any possible manner [...] in alleviating the sufferings of the affected victims," Kobia wrote in his letter to the Communion of Churches in Indonesia and to all WCC member churches in the country.
In practical terms, the humanitarian arm of the WCC, Action of Churches Together (ACT) was operational in Yogyakarta almost immediately after the earthquake, and is providing assistance to victims in the form of distribution of food and medicines and the evacuation of injured children.
Since the tragedy, "All of you have been in my thoughts and prayers," Kobia said, while "millions of people world-wide prayed together in yesterday's worship services, calling upon our gracious and merciful God to bring relief and comfort to the victims and their families".
RELATED LINKS:
Action by Churches Together (ACT)
Text of WCC letter to Indonesian president