Contact: Episcopal Relief and Development, 800-334-7626, ext 5129

NEW YORK, June 22 /Standard Newswire/ -- Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) commemorates World Refugee Day 2007. The day is commemorated each year on June 20th to recognize the plight of refugees worldwide. This year's theme is "A New Home, a New Life." An estimated 15 million people worldwide have been forced to flee their country.

ERD's programs help refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) around the world. After emergencies, ERD serves vulnerable families displaced from their homes with food, medicines, temporary shelter, and access to clean water. Through our long-term response and integrated development programs, displaced persons are able to rebuild their communities.

In the Sudan, two million people have been displaced from their homes and an estimated 300,000 people have lost their lives due to civil war. ERD is working in collaboration with the Sudan Development and Relief Agency (SUDRA) and the Dioceses of El Obeid, Port Sudan, and Malakal. In El Obeid, a leadership program has been created to strengthen the skills of diocesan staff, computer training classes are now being provided for young people in Port Sudan, and a health clinic has been restored in Malakal. ERD is also working in partnership with Windle Trust to strengthen the skills of health workers presently working in Southern Sudan who were unable to access significant training during the war.

Episcopal Relief and Development is the international relief and development agency of the Episcopal Church of the United States. An independent 501(c) (3) organization, ERD saves lives and builds hope in communities around the world. ERD's programs work toward achieving the Millennium Development Goals. We provide emergency assistance in times of crisis and rebuild after disasters. We enable people to climb out of poverty by offering long-term solutions in the areas of food security and health care, including HIV/AIDS and malaria.