An October 2021 Update on ARDF Relief Efforts
The latest news on ARDF Relief Efforts
Your Impact
In the past three months, ARDF sent more than $95,000 in relief funds to: Afghan Refugees (both domestically and overseas), Egypt, Guatemala, Haiti, Louisiana, Myanmar, Nepal
Myanmar
The country was already struggling after the February 2021 coup. Now a third wave of COVID is decimating the country. This has hit the Anglican church especially hard. There are many in serious condition who need medical attention. The price of oxygen has skyrocketed, as all aspects of the economy fall victim to COVID.
Archbishop Stephen Than Myint Oo and church leaders continue to serve to relieve the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the people. Each diocese has established a center to give basic medical care to those suffering from COVID. They provide oxygen, hydration, and supportive care as best they can. Many of the volunteers have contracted COVID and died in the process of offering care to others. The struggle for medical supplies, PPE, Oxygen, and other resources continues, even as tensions rise. The unstable political situation is aggravating the COVID situation.
The funds that ARDF has raised for COVID relief in Myanmar are crucial to the ongoing efforts of the church. We are grateful for our generous donors.
A COVID patient receives treatment from the church.
The team prays before ministering to patients.
Louisiana
When Hurricane Ida made landfall in late August, The Diocese of the Western Gulf Coast already had a team in place to coordinate relief efforts. Now, a partnership has solidified between this disaster response team and St. Timothy’s (Spring, TX), Good Shepherd Church (Metairie, LA), Trinity Anglican (Lafayette, LA), FaithPoint Family Fellowship (Covington, LA) and Servants Heart Disaster Relief (Charleston, SC).
Meanwhile, the North American Lutheran Church has been a vital partner! They have offered literally tons of supplies stored in their Texas warehouses for St. Timothy’s to distribute to the Louisiana churches. We are beyond grateful for this partnership.
ARDF is blessed to participate in weekly calls with a dedicated team coordinating efforts on the ground. We see firsthand how exhausting this is. And yet, these leaders remain joyfully committed, and have even kept their sense of humor as they continue to serve those affected by the storm.
Other Relief Efforts
Haiti
ARDF is currently partnering with the Anglican Mission in Haiti and Water Mission to bring relief to the country after the earthquake on August 14th. Tropical Storm Grace followed shortly thereafter, offering no mercy to a country already reeling from the earthquake and political turmoil.
Water Mission has been fixing broken water systems and delivering new water treatment systems to areas around Les Cayes, the hardest hit area of the country. The Anglican Mission in Haiti has been serving community members with their basic needs.
Afghanistan
ARDF is partnering with Christians overseas (through Global Teams) to welcome Afghans fleeing the Taliban on foot. They are preparing camps to receive them in the short term before equipping these refugees with the skills and supplies they need to relocate permanently.
We are also supporting Anglican churches and parishioners who are welcoming Afghan refugees in their own communities here in the United States. If you are working through your church or an associated nonprofit, you may be eligible for ARDF funds. Fill out this form to let us know!
Church Partnerships
ARDF has been honored to partner with various ACNA churches who are supporting the relief efforts of their overseas partners. Our new Joseph Fund allows us to match the funds you raise in your churches for efforts that we might not have been otherwise able to support.
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