Hội Thánh của Đức Chúa Trời trao tặng tiền gây quỹ cho Liên Hiệp Quốc
The Church of God, which has a history of active humanitarian activities in the international community, donated $100,000 to the United Nations in 2010 to aid the nation of Haiti, which was severely damaged by an earthquake earlier in 2010. The General Pastor of the Church of God, Kim Joo-cheol, visited the UN Headquarters in New York City to deliver the donations personally. An official from the UN Office for Partnerships suggested that the Church of God should continue to partner with them. The World Mission Society Church of God donated additional $100,000 later in 2018 to the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund [CERF], contributing to their humanitarian relief efforts.
Donation Background
Haiti is an island nation located west side of the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean Sea, and borders the Dominican Republic on the east. On January 12, 2010, a major 7.0 magnitude earthquake occurred near Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, causing severe damage to the island. Major buildings, including the Presidential Palace, the National Assembly building, airports, and hospitals, destroyed or damaged. About 4,000 prisoners escaped from the collapsed prisons in Port-au-Prince and crimes increased sharply.[1] It is estimated that 3 million people, one-third of Haiti’s population, were injured by the earthquake and more than 220,000 people died.[2]
Visit to the UN to Deliver Donation to Help Haiti
On the morning of June 29, 2010, Pastor Kim Joo-cheol of the Church of God, visited the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. He delivered a donation of $100,000 to the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund [CERF] for Haiti. The donation was raised through charity concerts held by the World Mission Society Church of God's Messiah Orchestra. On February 21, 2010, about 7,000 people, including the heads of local governments, municipalities, and universities, attended the concert which was held twice at the KBS Hall in Busan, Korea, hoping to support relief efforts for the earthquake victims.[3]
While delivering the donation, Pastor Kim Joo-cheol said, “It is only the love of a mother who makes unconditional sacrifices that can heal this dry and desolate world.” He added, “As we believe in God the Mother, we want to help our global neighbors in need with the love of a mother, the greatest love.” The UN officials expressed their gratitude and shared how they were inspired by Koreans, who, despite being on the other side of the earth, remembered the victims of Haiti and put their minds together to help them. Monica Belalcazar, Humanitarian Affairs Officer at UN OCHA, said, “Through the video (of the Church of God volunteer activities), I was very moved by the goodwill of all the members of the Church working together and for making this world a better place.”[4]
UN Partnership Proposal and Additional Donations From the Church of God
The officials at the United Nations highly appreciated the altruistic heart that the Church of God showed in the international community. On June 30, the day after the donation, Amir Dossal, then Executive Director of the United Nations Office for Partnerships [UNOP], invited Pastor Kim Joo-cheol to the UN Headquarters and asked the Church of God to continue partnering with their office, stating, “From the United Nations’ perspective, you can actually make a difference. I look forward to the Church of God and the United Nations working together for many people around the world who are suffering from poverty, hunger, and disasters.”[5]
On that day, the UN uploaded the news of the meeting between Pastor Kim Joo-cheol and the Executive Director Amir Dossal on the UN's website and introduced the Church of God as the fastest-growing church in the world, which has more than 1,000 churches in 150 countries. Also, in 2018, the Church of God donated $100,000 in additional donations to the UN CERF to support relief efforts.
External links
References
- ↑ “Aftershock rattles Haiti, but aid flow ramps up”. Reuters. 21 tháng 1 năm 2010.
- ↑ “UN marks anniversary of devastating 2010 Haiti earthquake”. United Nations. 12 tháng 1 năm 2022.
- ↑ “Charity Concert Successfully Held in Busan to Help Haiti Earthquake Refugees”. The Munhwa Ilbo. 23 tháng 2 năm 2010.
- ↑ “46 Years since Its Establishment, 1.35 Million Registered Members' Volunteer Work Moved Un's Heart”, Monthly JoongAng, 1 tháng 10 năm 2010
- ↑ “Church of God Adds Love for the Global Family”. Monthly Chosun. tháng 1 năm 2019.