Rev. Dr Martin Junge Arrives Kathmandu
Kathmandu, 12 September 2018- Dr Prabin Manandhar, Country Director, The Lutheran World federation (LWF), Nepal and Rev. Joseph Soren, Chairperson, Nepal Evalengical Lutheran Church welcomed Rev Dr Matin Junge, General Secretary, The Lutheran World Federation at Tribhuvan International Airport this morning. This is his first visit to Asia.
Upon his arrival in Nepal, Rev. Dr Junge thanked the LWF Nepal team for a warm welcome. He appreciated the humanitarian and development work done by LWF in Nepal and acknowledged the emergency response carried out by the staff. He said, “It is very appreciable that although you all were affected you moved forward and supported the needy”. He called upon LWF members in Nepal to stand up together for the development of all.
Dr Prabin Manandhar said “LWF Nepal is honored to welcome Rev. Dr Martin Junge and show him the areas we have been working. It is a landmark visit in the process of deepening cooperation and relationship with Nepal which has been unfolding for several years”.
Dr Manandhar said, “This is the first time in the history of LWF that the General Secretary has visited Nepal. We are very thankful to Rev. Dr Junge for accepting our invitation.”
Rev. Joseph Soren said, “It’s an opportunity to share what we have been doing at NELC.”
Rev. Dr Junge is accompanied by Rev. Dr Philip Lok Oi Peng, Area Secretary for Asia Department for Mission and Development and Mr Allan Calma, Regional Program Coordinator.
Rev. Dr Junge will be in Nepal till 19 September, 2018. The objectives of his visit are learning and sharing of humanitarian and development works in Nepal carried out by LWF Nepal. The key element of this trip is to watch the activities conducted by LWF Nepal closely and to maintain a positive relationship with the government and other concerned stakeholders.
Rev. Dr Junge will be meeting high level government dignitaries, government officials, representatives of humanitarian and development organizations, implementing partners, community people, journalists and other stakeholders. He will also observe field work carried out by LWF Nepal and its implementing partners in Jhapa, Morang and Kavre districts. In addition, Rev. Dr Junge will be visiting the earthquake and flood affected areas.
Rev. Dr Junge will also attend NELC Jubilee celebration in Morang. LWF Nepal works closely with NELC and its diaconal arm – Lutheran Community Welfare Society in their capacity building and the upliftment of poor and oppressed.
The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Nepal, a Country Program of the LWF World Service (WS), has been working with marginalized and disadvantaged communities of Nepal since 1984 on Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Preparedness and Response; Sustainable Livelihoods, and Community-led Actions for Governance and Justice. Its core commitments are Human Rights; Impartiality; Inclusion and Participation; Accountability; Gender Justice and Climate Justice; and Environmental Sustainability.
Text by: Kritagya Regmi
