WMU helping to provide safe water, financial support for tsunami victims

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (BP) - Woman's Missionary Union is sending more than $37,000 worth of water purification equipment to Indonesia to help provide clean water to those affected by the devastating tsunami.

A total of 457 different items from the Southern Baptist missions auxiliary, ranging from water filter units to portable water purification systems for personal use, are going to the region by way of disaster relief teams, volunteers and other Great Commission partners.

Sending this supply to Indonesia will deplete the supply of water filters WMU currently has had on hand. However, Jean Cullen, the organization's missions involvement specialist, said $100,000 worth of filtering units has been reordered and WMU is "committed to sending more water systems to help provide safe, clean water to those living in the midst of this crisis."

During 2004, WMU received more than 1,100 donations from various church groups and individuals, which resulted in approximately 300 water filters being shipped last year.

In addition to provisions for safe, clean water, the WMU Foundation continues to receive donations daily to aid those living in the aftermath of the tsunami. Through WMU's HEART Fund, 100 percent of these gifts will be given to Baptist women's organizations in the affected countries.

WMU's HEART (Humanitarian Emergency Aid for Rebuilding Tomorrow) Fund is managed by the WMU Foundation and was established in response to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. It is intended to provide aid in the name of Christ to those in emergency or disaster situations.