Methodist Relief and Development Fund.

Recent intimations from MRDF (July 2008).

A prayer request - for ZIMBABWE

MRDF is currently supporting an appeal for humanitarian aid in Zimbabwe. Due to the sensitive political situation, field operations have been suspended. Staff will resume work when it is safe to do so.

Burma

MRDF is helping to support a relief effort following the Cyclone Nargis which hit Burma in May.

More funds will be sent in the coming weeks, there is still more work to be done.

China

£16,000 has been been donated through MRDF to help provide food following the earthquake which struck Sichuan province on May 12th. Further support involved in the reconstruction of houses, schools, clinics and 20 drinking–water or irrigation systems is continuing.

Global Food Crisis.

MRDF is looking at increasing the ways that people can access food in the long term across all the communities that it works with, particularly through providing agricultural training and credit schemes.

In India there is work with farmers to enhance the land’s soil fertility.

In Cameroon support is being given to villagers to enable the purchase of equipment to improve their yields and farmland. This is being done through micro-credit schemes.

This and other work is funded by our general donations.

There is much that could be done, so we are asked to be responsible in our giving to MRDF.

For more information about MRDF and answers to frequently asked questions, please visit www.mrdf.org.uk

Best wishes to everyone.

Janet Murray

14 July 2008