One of the projects mentioned in a recent Church Meeting was MERF. It’s name came up when we were discussing how best to allocate the MBC tithe, and in particular the small amount of ‘unallocated funds’. And it struck me that unlike some of our major beneficiaries such as BMS, Home Mission, LMFS, MAF etc. when it comes to choosing who should benefit from a small number of equally worthy causes MERF is perhaps the least know of them all.
MERF stands for the Moortown Emergency Relief Fund, a registered charity steered by three trustees: Phil Commons, Martyn Gray and Rod Russell. And MERF does exactly what it says on the tin… it sends out emergency funding, often at very short notice in response to particular health and/or housing issues.
Currently MERF’s main area of concern is in Jhum Para, a small village in the Chitagong region of Bangladesh where the charity’s agent is a senior staff nurse in a local hospital.
But instead of me explaining it to you let me quote directly from a flyer I picked up recently in church, it explains far better than I can how MERF actually works.
“Many, many people particularly in Developing Nations are extremely poor but manage to ‘get by’ until an emergency happens particularly in health or housing. In some instances people may be able to obtain a loan but at extortionate interest rates which decimate their lives for years.
MERF can provide support and transform life and also help people to help themselves.
Because of modern technology/communication it is possible both to hear of an emergency and also provide funds for that emergency at very short notice. Emergency details/information is provided by a trusted local agent on the ground and requests for funds are considered. With modern banking facilities it is possible to provide the funds at short notice, 24/48 hours.”
If you would like to know more about MERF, or as an individual you would like to offer your support speak with Phil, Martyn or Rod. I’m sure they would be delighted to talk with you.