Thousands of families face hunger and life-threatening conditions as they seek refuge from the fierce fighting that has reached Liberia's capital, Monrovia. 300,000 Liberians have been displaced by recent fighting, while many more are homeless in other areas as a result of Liberia's 14-year civil war. Many of them lack basic food and shelter.

Sumoward Harris, bishop of the 71,000-member Lutheran Church in Liberia, who himself has been forced from his home by the violence, called on the international community to come to our rescue. He also called on our church to pray for peace, assist people whose lives have been shattered by the fighting, and advocate for a strong international peace-making effort, including U.S. participation.

For more than a decade, our worldwide Lutheran family, the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has partnered with the Liberian church as it works for peace and provides humanitarian assistance to victims of the war.

LWF staff in Liberia report that the recent fighting in Monrovia has resulted in  shocking deprivations and is hampering aid efforts, but that some emergency rations are reaching people seeking refuge in Lutheran church compounds. The LWF also thanked people who have sent much-needed quilts and health kits through the U.S.-based Lutheran World Relief, which got through to Monrovia during a lull in the recent fighting. The LWF, which operates camps that offer refuge to those who have fled the civil war, will be intensifying its efforts in the wake of the renewed violence. In July, the ELCA sent an additional $50,000 for this urgent effort.

Liberia has had a special relationship with the United States since the time freed slaves were brought to that country from America. The Lutheran church in Liberia also has historic ties to the ELCA. Because of these relationships, Liberians are looking to Americans for special help in this time of crisis.

In many areas, livestock are dying and people are eating anything available to stave off hunger. Malnutrition is rising, especially among children, and people are on the move, searching for food and work. The heavy toll of HIV/AIDS on breadwinners is making the crisis worse, particularly in southern Africa.

Please help! Give generously to help brothers and sisters in Liberia to survive, and, when peace comes, to rebuild their shattered lives. 100% of gifts will be used as designated.

You may give through Calvary by placing your contribution in an offering envelope marked "Liberia" or you may send your contribution directly to ELCA International Disaster Response, P.O. Box 71764, Chicago, IL 60694-1764.