Malawi - ACT: 15-Oct-02

Action by Churches Together (ACT) Appeal - Malawi Food Relief - AFMW-22 (Revision 1) Appeal Target: US$ 5,382,656 Balance Requested from ACT Network: US$ 4,234,515 Geneva, 15 October 2002

The AFMW22 Appeal is being revised to include a proposal by the Church of Central African Presbyterian (CCAP) - Synod of Livingstonia which is being supported by ACT member, Presbyterian World Service and Development of Canada (PWS&D). The other proposals in the original appeal issued 19 July 2002 remain unchanged. For the sake of brevity, only the CCAP Livingstonia proposal is included in this document. Please refer to the original appeal for details of the other proposals. CCAP Synod of Livingstonia is targeting a population requiring immediate food aid from the most vulnerable in the CCAP Synod of Livingstonia catchment area. The five districts chosen have been hit with erratic rains, crop diseases and floods for the past two years. This has resulted in high levels of malnutrition as well as a high under-five mortality rate. The majority of people are affected by poor hygiene and adverse environmental conditions. During a recent mid term review programme conducted by the Synod of Livingstonia, the Development Department discovered that the majority of people ate their crops while still green in the fields. This has resulted in poor harvests, or zero yields. Based on data collected by the Development Department, Child Survival, Synod Hospital staff and government officials from the Ministry of Health and Population, the population is suffering from food deprivation and is extremely vulnerable. The CCAP - Synod of Livingstonia proposals comprises the following elements: Food - maize & fortified flour Supplementary feeding to under-fives and lactating mothers Agriculture - seeds and tools. Project Completion Date: CARD - 31 March, 2003 CCAP Blantyre - 31 March 2003 ELDP - 30 April 2003 NCA/CHAM - 31 March,2003 CCAP Livingstonia - 30 April 2003 Summary of Appeal Targets, Pledges/Contributions Received and Balance Requested Appeal Less: Pledges/ Balance Requested Targets Contr Recd from ACT Network CARD 1,626,434 284,483 1,341,951 ELDP 1,862,289 356,463 1,505,826 NCA/CHAM 708,019 196,391 511,628 CCAP/ Blantyre 702,090 310,804 391,286 CCAP/ Livingstonia 483,824 0 483,824 Total Targets US$ 5,382,656 1,148,141 4,234,515 Thor-Arne Prois Director, ACT REQUESTING ACT MEMBER Church of Central African Presbyterian (CCAP) - Synod of Livingstonia IMPLEMENTATING ACT MEMBER AND PARTNERS INFORMATION: Relief work and community development, agriculture, health, education and other community development has been undertaken by the CCAP Synod of Livingstonia from as early as 1880s. The Synod of Livingstonia embarked on relief programming in the 1980s as a response to the destruction caused by cyclones. In 1990, the Synod's Development Committee was established as a separate initiative responsible for clean water, food security (agriculture) and micro-enterprise programmes to communities within the Synod. In 1992, the Relief Program and Development Committee amalgamated to form the Development and Relief Department, known today as the Development Department. Since then, Malawi has experienced a spectrum of natural disasters each year, in the form of drought, floods cyclones, famine, etc. As such, the Development Department has been involved in the provision of relief to people, co-ordination of and implementation of relief activities. As an arm of the CCAP Synod of Livingstonia, the Development Department caters to the whole northern region. This region consists of the CCAP Synod of Livingstonia catchment area, comprising five districts and part of Malawi's central region. DESCRIPTION OF EMERGENCY SITUATION Malawi is currently experiencing serious food shortages. In some of the Rural Development Programs (RDPs), production has dropped due to reduced hectarage planted because of lack of seed. Fertilizer uptake had also been low in some areas. This is attributed to lack of access to credit as many farmers, especially those who grow maize, were not deemed creditworthy due to default on previous loans. The maize flow to ADMARC markets is inadequate to meet the demand. The ADMARC maize price is almost half that of private traders and, as a result, people in rural areas are flocking to ADMARC markets. The highest market price by July 2002 was MK 22/kg which is higher than the ADMAARC prices of MK17/kg of maize. However, maize is not always available at the ADMARC markets as opposed to local markets, where the prices are beyond the reach of most households. The U.N. has requested more than $144 million from donors to meet food and non-food humanitarian needs in Malawi, including emergency nutrition, water and sanitation, disease surveillance and other health activities, agricultural inputs, and coordination. As part of this appeal, WFP has asked donors for 264,501 MT of emergency food aid for Malawi. As of 30 August, WFP reported that its food aid distribution had reached 541,300 people in August. WFP expects to distribute 13,000 MT to approximately 1.2 million people through general food distributions in September. Preliminary reports from the VACs (Vulnerability Assessment Committee) assessments in Malawi show that since inputs were distributed late in the planting season, the winter harvest will not yield the expected 140,000 MT. A recent WHO nutrition survey showed that child malnutrition levels in Malawi have already increased from 6 percent to 19 percent in the last three months. In addition, Malawi's National Coordinator for Nutrition, on 19 August stated that there are more than 65,000 malnourished children in the country, and approximately 7,000 are near death. As a result of these reports, UNICEF initiated a NGO assessment of Nutrition Rehabilitation Units (NRU) in Malawi, which is currently underway. Existing Safety Nets Programmes in the districts (eg: Assistance to Malnourished Groups and Food-for-Work by WFP, Cash for Work by MASAF, and other programmes carried out by other organizations) are greatly assisting people in rural areas. However, given the seriousness of the food security problem this season, these are not sufficient. In the northern region, the food security situation was expected to improve in April, when harvesting began. However, this only lasted a few months as a good amount of the maize had been harvested prematurely. The CCAP Assessment Team Recommends the Following: There is need for emergency intervention to assist the vulnerable groups across the country. The current Safety Nets Programmes available in the various districts should cover as many areas and districts as possible. Free food should only be given to those who are unable to do any work; this includes the elderly and the sick, etc. Interventions should be carried out as expeditiously as possible as there is already a critical food shortage. Emergency interventions should continue until April 2003, when most of the households will start harvesting The Malawian Government and all stakeholders should encourage Malawians to diversify their diet, and consume foods other than just maize. The assessment team discovered that the cassava eating areas of Nkhata Bay were relatively better off compared to those that are dependent on maize. The Malawian Government and other stakeholders must promote small-scale irrigation in order to increase food security at the household and national level. Winter cropping should also be encouraged where possible. As the mortality and malnutrition rates indicated by Field Food Monitors, the people in the targeted EPA's are suffering from widespread hunger and starvation as a result of recurrent droughts and floods, which has led to the total collapse of traditional support mechanisms. Such critical food shortages are further exacerbated by continued influx of people to towns. TARGETED BENEFICIARIES The target population will be identified from the CCAP Synod of Livingstonia catchment area. The five districts chosen have been hit with erratic rains, crop diseases and floods for the past two years. This has resulted in high levels of malnutrition as well as a high under-five mortality rate. The majority of people are affected by poor hygiene and adverse environmental conditions. During a recent mid term review programme conducted by the Synod of Livingstonia, the Development Department discovered that the majority of people ate their crops while still green in the fields. This has resulted in poor harvests, or zero yields. Based on data collected by the Development Department, Child Survival, Synod Hospital staff and government officials from the Ministry of Health and Population, the population is suffering from food deprivation and is extremely vulnerable. GOALS & OBJECTIVES GOALS To alleviate the suffering and preserve the lives of extremely vulnerable farming families in CCAP Synod of Livingstonia catchment area in the northern region of Malawi by means of integrated Food Relief Programme. OBJECTIVES To procure and distribute emergency food aid and inputs in order to meet the critical needs and improve the nutritional status of vulnerable farming families in five districts of the northern region (Karonga, Rumphi, Nkhata Bay, Mzimba and Chitipa) from October 2002 to March 2003 (6 months). PROPOSED EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE & IMPLEMENTATION Procurement and distribution of 40mt of rice seed to 4,000 farming families by December 2002 Food Supplies 570 MT of maize distributed to 1,900 farming families over six months (October 2002 to March 2003) 92 MT of likuni phala distributed to 3,800 malnourished children over six months (October 2002 to March 2003) 100 MT of fortified maize flour distributed to 400 (malnourished) lactating and pregnant mothers over six months (October 2002 to March 2003). Performance Indicators CCAP Synod of Livingstonia will supply and distribute a total of 762mt of emergency food aid (570mt of maize food, 92mt of Likuni Phala and 100mt of fortified maize meal) to the targeted population by April 30, 2003. Monthly distribution rates will be in accordance with Word Food Programme requirements. CCAP Synod of Livingstonia will endeavour to distribute the food ration to the targeted beneficiaries throughout the relief operation. Although CCAP Relief Field Supervisors will make every effort to minimise the informal re-distribution of food rations by conducting continuous post-distribution monitoring (PDM) assessments, a limited percentage of the food commodities will be shared and, consequently, some rations will be diluted. The infant and crude mortality rates within the targeted population will be reduced to under 2/10,000/day and under 1/10,000/day respectively by end 2002. These levels will be maintained until the April/May 2003 harvest. The malnutrition rates for 85% of the targeted population will be reduced by mid-December 2002. CCAP Synod of Livingstonia will maintain these levels until the April/May 2003 harvest. Health personnel, Development Department staff and other local NGO staff will conduct ongoing nutrition surveys (using a random cluster approach) in order to monitor the overall nutritional status of the target population. CCAP Synod of Livingstonia's emergency food relief program will not only meet people's critical food needs, but also enable the local population to focus its attention on farming and other more productive activities. For example, by combining food aid with agricultural rehabilitation, CCAP Synod of Livingstonia will enable the local population to begin preparing the land in October 2002, for planting in November/December 2002. As such, the Development Department is striving to ensure that beneficiaries will not be dependent upon relief aid. This transition is critical if beneficiaries are to achieve genuine long-term development and self-reliance. The Development Department is trying all it can to avoid the hunger situation from repeating itself. In its effort, it has been disseminating the following message to the masses: Take the message of compost making by government and others seriously, and make compost manure - fertilizers are expensive and unsustainable. Though very small, keep this year's yield safe, and reduce the quantities cooked - do not waste food. Winter Cultivation: take advantage of residual moisture in dambos to grow winter crops maize and vegetables in order to supplement this year's meagre yields. In this light, the Department has secured 50mt of maize seed for winter cropping - the distribution of which is currently being worked out. In order to ensure the availability of adequate food supplies and dietary diversification, grow more than one crop (including those that do not require fertilizers, and those that are drought tolerant). The Malawian Government should be pressurised to take timely action to avoid the crisis claiming more people's lives. Decreased Health Status due to Malnutrition within the Targeted Population As a result of natural disasters and related food shortages, there have been increases in the incidence of malaria, diarrhoea, cholera, convulsions and malnutrition-related illnesses. Morbidity and mortality rates are also on the rise. Cases of malnutrition among children under five and lactating mothers were reported to be on the increase; these are a direct result of insufficient food intake following the food insecurity situation. Table 2- The number of Underweight Children per District in the North. District No of FF affected/ targeted Average No. /family Estimated total population affected Underfive (0 - 4yrs) 20% of the pop.(NE) % Under weight No. Children under weight Chitipa 10,505 5 52,525 9,455 15 1,418 Karonga 7,396 5 36,980 6,656 16 1,065 Rumphi 10,277 5 51,385 9,249 18.7 1,730 Mzimba South 4,433 5 22,165 3,990 18.7 746 Mzimba Central 9,304 5 46,520 8,374 18.7 1,566 Nkhata Bay 3,528 5 17,640 3,175 22 * 699 Notes: Source of data FF and Average of people in the family - RDP Underfive between the ages of 0 - 4yrs - Demographic and Health Survey 2000 % of Underfive which are underweight - DHO and Health Clinic The number of children Underfive is 20% (National average). *The number of underweight children for Nkhata Bay District was based on the data calculated from 3 sampled villages in Chintheche. The table above shows the estimated number of children who are underweight per district, in Malawi's Northern Region. The formula used is Estimated # of children underweight per district= FF*average H/H*district% of children underweight/100. The table shows that Mzimba (South/Central) has registered the highest number of underweight children, with Rumphi and Chitipa ranking second and third. This, in part, has contributed to increased mortality, reduced productivity, loss of manpower and increased orphanage. Consequently, people are found to be spending more time caring for the sick, attending funerals, etc. CCAP Synod of Livingstonia co-ordinates with other NGOs to conduct several activities. Together, they design food security and pre/post nutrition surveys, modify food distribution plans (based on the findings of the assessments), and establish effective referral systems whereby families whose children are admitted to CCAP-Livingstonia' under 5 clinics are targeted during general food distributions. These clinics are open to children under five and other vulnerable persons; they are provided for in the request to ACT. On top of that the development department will be working with the other ACT partners in Malawi and attend all meetings called by the co-ordinating partner DCA Malawi. In addition, CCAP, GTZ, and the EU are jointly involved in relief supply in the Northern Region. A number of NGOs in Malawi also meet every month at the district level to share experiences and co-ordinate future plans of action. In Mzimba, for example, NGOs meet on a monthly basis; these meetings are arranged and facilitated by Africare . Rehabilitation Component In addition to addressing the emergency requirements within its catchment area, CCAP of Livingstonia is also committed to assisting the local population to re-establish support mechanisms and coping strategies in order to be better equipped to respond to future crises. Due to a series of droughts and floods that have affected the country, many people who depend on agricultural production have been subjected to poverty. For these people to settle back to their lands, they will need support in the form of farm inputs (seeds, tools and the necessary agricultural technology to enable them to plant and harvest). In conjunction with its general distribution of emergency food aid, CCAP Synod of Livingstonia will request its partner churches and ACT to fund complimentary agricultural rehabilitation programmes and economic development projects. Through agricultural rehabilitation, farmers will receive agricultural inputs (seeds and tools) and training in appropriate agricultural technology, from the period 1 October 2002 to 31 March 2003. In collaboration with health personnel from the Synod, the Development Department will assist children under five, pregnant women, lactating mothers, the elderly, and disabled and chronically ill people, during the period 1 October 2002 to 31 March 2003. Distribution Plan/Commodity Accounting CCAP-Livingstonia's methodology for food distribution is based on a participatory approach. This will facilitate effective targeting of the most vulnerable members of each community, and will minimise the diversion and informal redistribution of food aid commodities (practices which result in a much wider distribution of a much smaller amount of food per beneficiary). This method involves the local relief committees within each centre. These relief committees are comprised of a maximum of 20 representatives from the following groups: Local church leaders from various denominations Local authority officials, e.g. The Civil Administrator Traditional leaders, e.g. Executive Chiefs, Sub-Chiefs (housing group) Women representatives Beneficiary representatives The Relief Committees are responsible for: Identifying both the general food requirements and the most vulnerable persons within their communities. Receiving and storing relief food supplies. Providing adequate security for the stored food. Overseeing the distribution of the food in conjunction with the Synod's congregational church structure and other NGOs working in the areas (the CCAP Relief Field Supervisor is responsible to Development Department and the committees). In order to maximise the involvement of stakeholders and ensure that the most vulnerable persons within each community are effectively targeted, the Development Department's food distributions will be as decentralised as possible. CCAP-Livingstonia has identified a total of 10 Extension Planning Areas (EPAs) within the Livingstonia catchment area (see table below). District EPA Total No farming families No farming families without food Mzimba South Vangalala 9,096 4,135 Champhira 8,534 3,699 Emfeni * 13,224 6,272 Mzimba Central Bulala 11,300 7,637 Kazomba 8,241 4,828 Mzimba North Emsizini * 7,543 4,529 Mpherembe* 5,436 4,553 Malidade 4,313 2,233 Kasungu Kaluluma * 24,737 1,584 Chulu 13,690 5,065 Totals 106,114 44,535 *Out of which the CCAP Synod of Livingstonia has only targeted 4 EPAs with stars. The efficient management of the distribution process and the maintenance of accurate commodity accounts will further be enhanced by the presence of Relief Field Supervisors in each centre. Furthermore, Development Department staff will conduct frequent monitoring in order to ensure that the food actually reaches its intended beneficiaries and is utilised effectively. IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Approval of proposal X Monthly Food Distribution X X X X X X All Personnel and Equipment in place X Nutrition list conduct assessments X X Local Population prepare land for planting and seed and tools given out X X Supplementary feeding continue X X X X X X Reduce Infant mortality assessment X X Minimum of 85% of target population over 80% WFH X Transport remaining food to the project area X Purchase of food stuff X X Distribute the final food staff X Conduct final evaluation X Auditing of the accounts X ADMINISTRATION, FINANCE, MONITORING & REPORTING Administration The Development Relief Co-ordinator, the Relief Programme Manager, the Evaluation and Planning Officer, the Accountant, and the Field Relief Supervisors will supervise the project. The Development and Relief Co-ordinator will provide his relief team with the necessary administrative support via guidance and training. The Development and Relief Co-ordinator will report to ACT International. Logistics (purchasing, hiring of transport, etc.) will be handled at the field level, with support from the Ekwendeni relief and the Development and Relief Co-ordinator. All programme staff will be considered full-time, fluent in Tumbuka, and have community experience. All middle management staff (and above) are fluent in English. All staff will be employees of the CCAP of Livingstonia and subject to its personnel policies and remuneration. The Development and Relief Co-ordinator is responsible for reporting to ACT International. The Relief Field Supervisors will report to the Relief Co-ordinator. The Relief Field Supervisors will be responsible for co-ordinating the project work within their own catchment areas, where they will reside. Finance The Financial reports will be prepared on a monthly basis by the Development Department Finance Officer (Accountant) at the Ekwendeni office. The reports will be incorporated into established standard reporting systems agreed upon by the ACT International and the Development Department. The Development Department has created a separate account for Relief Programmes. Monitoring & Reporting Monitoring and reporting systems will be integral components of this program, and will take place at 3 main levels: CCAP Relief Field Supervisors staff will conduct weekly baseline food security and nutritional status assessments in order to continuously reassess the need for (and recalibrate) the targeting of emergency food aid in the targeted areas. CCAP Relief Field Supervisors will prepare and submit weekly narrative and statistical reports to the Development and Relief Co-ordinator for review and evaluation. The Development Department Deputy Co-ordinator will prepare consolidated monthly reports and submit them to the Development Co-ordinator. The Development Co-ordinator will be responsible for the overall monitoring of the progress and will compile the information contained in the consolidated monthly reports into a single monthly progress report. The Co-ordinator will then forward it to ACT International and the Malawi Government. A monthly participatory monitoring system will enable the Development Department to collect relevant information on the beneficiaries and determine: Whether the right beneficiaries have been identified, If beneficiaries have access to land for cultivation, If distributed seeds have been planted, If compost heaps have been in readiness of the programme, The yields realised as well changes in the food security status of families. This information will be analysed and interpreted. The findings will help CCAP steer the project in line with its goals and objectives. A final evaluation will conducted at the end of the project and will assist us to measure the programme's impact and draw lessons for the future. CO-ORDINATION CCAP Synod of Livingstonia is a member of the Council of Non-Governmental Organization in Malawi (CONGOMA). By virtue of this work and its association with Act it is also a member of the ACT Malawi partners, which is being co-ordinated by DCA Malawi. Geographically, Livingstonia Synod is the only Act member situated in the North about 900 km away from Blantyre where the three other members are based, however, the Synod of Livingstonia works closely with CARD, Blantyre Synod and Evangelical Lutheran in the implementation of its various programmes. It networks with both international and National NGOs (e.g. EU, Christian Aid, PWS&D, PCC, PCI, PCUSA, CFGB, ICCO, and CARD). It is also a member of Malawi's National Disaster Committee. Co-ordination of the project activities will take place at various levels. Co-ordination meetings have already been held with the help of a CFGB Consultant. These meetings were held in Ekwendeni, where 17 Synod Presbytery Clerks and Health Personnel from the Synod's Hospitals were in attendance. Other meetings are being co-ordinated by DCA Malawi with other ACT members. There has also been co-ordination with local and international organisations (WFP, EU and GTZ), local NGOs, and the Malawian government. The Synod of Livingstonia's Development and Department also co-ordinates with other NGOs in the community in conducting sensitisation and awareness activities. These include: Joint meetings on sensitisation, targeting and capacity building; Awareness on production, shortage and utilisation of food crops; Planning, monitoring and evaluating of programmes and problem identification and solving. BUDGET ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE Description Type of No of Unit Cost Budget Unit Units US$ US$ DIRECT ASSISTANCE Food Assistance Maize for food MT 570 255 145,350 Fortified maize flour MT 100 270 27,000 Likuni Phala MT 92 667 61,364 Rice Seed MT 40 400 16,000 Total Direct Assistance 249,714 TRANSPORTATION, WAREHOUSING AND HANDLING Transportation Transportation of 40 MT rice seed km/MT 24,000 0.2 4,800 Transportation of 570 MT Maize km/MT 570,000 0.2 114,000 Transportation of 92 MT Likuni Phala km/MT 92,000 0.2 18,400 Transportation of 100 MT maize flour km/MT 100,000 0.2 20,000 Total Transportation, Warehousing & Handling 157,200 Capital Assets Motorbikes m/bike 2 3500 7,000 Computer Unit 1 2000 2,000 Printer Unit 1 500 500 Total Capital Assets 9,500 Personnel, Administration, Operations and Support and Others Staff Salaries Director (50% of Salary) Month 6 680 4,080 Planning and Evaluation Officer Month 6 500 3,000 Relief Programme Manager Month 6 680 4,080 Assistance Programme Manager Month 6 400 2,400 Relief Field Supervisors (4) Month 6 800 4,800 Accounts Clerk- Logistician Month 6 400 2,400 Accountant (50% of Salary) Month 6 420 2,520 Watchmen (6) Month 6 600 3,600 Secretaries 2 (50%of salary) Month 6 320 1,920 Staff Benefits Field allowances Lumpsum 6 1000 6,000 Office Costs Relief offince rent Monthly 6 135 810 Photocopy papers Lumpsum 1 1500 1,500 Stationeries Lumpsum 1 2000 2,000 Telephone, Fax, Emails Monthly 6 900 5,400 Vehicle operations Fuel Monthly 6 500 3,000 Maintence Monthly 6 950 5,700 Insurance & road licence Yearly 2 950 1,900 Total Personnel, Admin & Support 55,110 Description Type of No of Unit Cost Budget Unit Units US$ US$ CAPACITY BUILDING Disaster preparedness Lump sum 3,000 Establishment and training of committees Lump sum 800 Total Capacity Building 3,800 AUDIT & EVALUATION Audit Fees Lumpsum 3,500 Monitoring & Evaluation Lumpsum 5,000 Total Audit & Evaluation 8,500 TOTAL ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE 483,824 Budget Notes Funding is sought as a contribution to project management, staffing and provision of local contribution capacity and audit costs. The direct cost of provision of food aid to Malawi is very high because of hiked prices on local markets. Effective project management and monitoring will reduce costs and increase the impact of the assistance. Vehicles are needed and ACT funds are necessary to defray the internal logistical costs of this emergency programme. Other sources of support have been sought, but are limited. Responsible movements of large quantities of commodities require costs for proper management, oversight, and monitoring of their use during distribution to targeted vulnerable groups. CCAP distribution methods involve a community-based approach. Accuracy in targeting beneficiaries is thus enhanced through involvement of beneficiaries and transparency in the distribution process. CCAP plans to have sufficient staff on the ground to be able to sustain the sound relationships with community leaders, civil authorities and church structures that are already established. Relief Inputs 570mt of white maize will be procured locally. 40mt of rice seed sourced from local markets. 92mt of supplementary e.g Likuni Phala food - will be purchased from the local millers. The salaries of the following personnel included in the budget Programme Co-ordinator. Relief Programme Manager Assistant Relief Manager Relief Planning and Evaluation Officer (to be recruited) Relief Field Supervisors (to be recruited) Accounts Clerk- Logistics Accountant Two Secretaries Watchmen Staff Benefits Medical Insurance House allowance for staff Travel Local Travels Costs- Fuel for vehicles and vehicle maintenance Equipment 2 Motor Bikes (each at 3500US$): To be used by the Relief Programme Manager and his assistant to reach vast areas, and facilitate distribution and monitoring. 1 Computer for the the Relief Office 1 Printer Other Office Support Office stationery Recruitment and tender costs Equipment Maintenance Fax and telephone charges Audit fees: Fees to cover independent audit - 2500US$ Capacity Building Disaster preparedness Agricultural extension services Transportation Costs: Trucking at the rate of US$0.2 per Km per ton (depending on where food will be purchased). Warehousing/Storage: Costs of pallets, fumigation and storage: 500US$ per month if CCAP hires ADMARC stores. Administrative costs: These include devaluation of currencies, bank charges, costs associated with consultancies, international travels, etc. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Action by Churches Together (ACT) is a worldwide alliance of churches and their related agencies, meeting human need through co-ordinated emergency response. The ACT Coordinating Office is based with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Switzerland. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Ecumenical Centre Phone: ++41-22-791.60.33 150, route de Ferney Fax: ++41-22-791.65.06 P.O. Box 2100 E-Mail: act@wcc-coe.org 1211 Geneva 2 Telex: 415 730 OIK CH Switzerland http://www.act-intl.org distributed by - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Center for International Disaster Information Volunteers in Technical Assistance web: www.cidi.org listserv: www.cidi.org/listsub.htm - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - comments/suggestions/requests to incident@cidi.org