October 22, 2001

CBF joins World Vision in aid effort
___By Jim Newton
___Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
___ATLANTA--Top executives of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and World Vision announced Oct. 18 a joint intent to respond to the Afghani refugee crisis, issuing a "declaration of love" for the innocent refugees of Afghanistan.
___The collaborative effort was reported to CBF's Coordinating Council by CBF Coordinator Daniel Vestal and Global Missions Co-coordinator Barbara Baldridge during the council's fall board meeting in Atlanta. World Vision is the largest Christian relief and development organization in the United States.
___The lives of 7.5 million Afghanis are at risk as they flee for safety in what is now the world's biggest refugee crisis. "These refugees lack food, clean water and medical care," the joint statement said. "When brutal winter descends, millions more will suffer."
___"While the American government has declared war against the terrorists behind the deplorable attack on Sept. 11, we as Christians declare our love for the innocent refugees of Afghanistan, most of them women and children," Vestal said. "We must respond by putting our love into action."
___According to USAID, Afghanistan has the lowest per person calorie intake in the world. One out of four children dies before the age of 5. Refugees lack food, shelter, clean water and medical care.
___Already, World Vision has sent thousands of Family Survival Kits to help the refugees. Each kit contains life-saving blankets, water purification kits, soap, food and cooking supplies.
___World Vision has established an operating budget of $3.2 million to work through a humanitarian alliance with Afghani refugees who flee to the bordering countries of Pakistan, Iran, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. As much as $20 million will be needed before winter ends.
___CBF has created an "Afghan Refugee Relief Fund" and has issued an appeal to its individual members and 1,800 churches to give sacrificially to enable a variety of ministries among the refugees.
___Baldridge announced that David Harding, an agricultural development specialist with expertise in working with non-governmental organizations in the Middle East and Africa, will serve as full-time project manager to coordinate the Fellowship's Afghan refugee response and partnership with World Vision.
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