Following the occurrence of natural or human caused disasters in Taiwan, television reports often show the contributions of various social service and faith-based organizations to the rescue and relief efforts. Some agencies have designed eye-catching vests which their staff members and representatives don in order to clearly identify them to viewers. Three church-related agencies have recently formed an alliance, not to design better clothes or get better publicity, but to better serve those who suffer from disasters in the spirit of Jesus who said that we should “weep with those who weep.” The Chinese Christian Relief Association (CCRA), World Vision/Taiwan (WV/T) and the Church and Society committee of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT) recently covenanted to work together in disaster rescue and relief. It is hoped that through cooperation the agencies can have a greater effect.

The covenant unites the three agencies under the faith principles: love of life and mutual burden sharing,” especially as these pertain to work in response to domestic disasters.

Each group brings its own strengths to the alliance. CCRA is especially good at training volunteers and stockpiling relief supplies & equipment. WV/T has long displayed its specific talent for fundraising and media relations, and the PCT is present in every corner of Taiwan with over 12,00 local congregations.

In order to better coordinate any future activities, representatives from each group will meet quarterly and keep the others informed of training events that they are conducting, making use of each other’s trainers and evaluators, and opening their own training events to volunteers from the other groups. In the event of a disaster, the immediate response will be by activating a network of trained people to establish a first response center in the area. Reports will flow through the local center, and coordination of material and personnel support will be directed from a single spot. In particular, the services provided to families in any disaster zone will be centralized, both to prevent duplication of effort, and to enable Christians who suffer and those who contribute to relief to experience the care of One Lord.

Participation in the covenant binds these three agencies together, but does not prohibit any one of them from acting alone should that be necessary. To date, the alliance is a loose one, but strengthening is envisioned as time passes.

For more information:
Chinese Christian Relief Association:
http://www.ccra.org.tw/ccrahome/functioncode/publish/articleshow.asp?sn=813&type=16
World Vision / Taiwan www.worldvision.org.tw/english/ep1.html
Presbyterian Church in Taiwan www.pct.org.tw