One Great Hour of Sharing Provides Refuge from the Floods

Sharing Brings Joy. To Others, to God, and to Us.  

Last summer, articles were posted about the horrific floods in Pakistan, that killed more than 1,600, rendered 10 million people homeless and affected an estimated 20 million people.

One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) funds made it possible for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance to work with ecumenical partners and the Presbyterian Church in Pakistan to assist communities lacking housing and medical assistance.

Since 1949, Presbyterians have joined with millions of other Christians through One Great Hour of Sharing to share God’s love with people experiencing need. Our gifts support ministries of disaster response, refugee assistance and resettlement, and community development that help people find safe refuge, start new lives and work together to strengthen their families and communities.

Where Does the Money Go?

The Presbyterian Hunger Program receives 36 percent of undesignated One Great Hour of Sharing gifts, while the Self-Development of People and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance each receive 32 percent.

Source:  PCUSA

Japan Assistance

An initial $100,000 from One Great Hour of Sharing funds provided to CWS has gone towards an immediate response to 5,000 households, about 25,000 individuals, now living at 100 evacuation sites in the northeastern area of Japan – the prefectures of Miyagi, Fukushima, Iwate, Ibaragi and Tochigi.

The focus of the response is on evacuation sites where basic needs of food, water, sanitation, electricity and fuel are not being met. Response will include:

• ready-to-eat food.
• sanitation kits ("Gifts of the Heart") including napkins and soap, to fill the significant sanitation and hygiene gaps.
• potable water, one potential substitute for water could include prepared green tea.
• blankets to help protect people from the cold, which is becoming an increasingly dire need as fuel and gas supplies run out.
• batteries to maintain radio contact and to enable people to receive vital news on nuclear and radiation related developments.
• gas and fuel supplies.

What You Can Do

1.  Give

Faithful members who share their financial blessings through the One Great Hour of Sharing offering are already helping to fund the ongoing work in Japan and around the work.  Financial gifts through the OGHS offering are the most effective means of getting goods and services to the regions affected.

2.  Act

Stay informed and share information about the need with others. Sign up to receive PDA Rapid Information Network (PDA-RIN) email notices to alert you of additional needs.

3.  Pray

Please keep the people of Japan, Pakistan, and other areas affected by disasters, in your thoughts and prayers.