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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (May 18, 2006)—Luke Asikoye, Associate for International Response for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, has been selected to participate in the United Nations Civil-Military Coordination Training Course in Accra, Ghana. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is sponsoring the training with the objective of increasing knowledge about international United Nations-led crisis response focusing on coordination with humanitarian actors in the field. The training is by invitation only.

“Increasingly humanitarian work is carried out in the context of civil conflict, and where United Nations peacekeepers are on the ground," said Susan Ryan, the Coordinator of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. “Developing deeper relationships and understanding between the U.N. and our program can only increase the effectiveness of aid. I am delighted that Luke was chosen to participate in this important training.”

Asikoye’s responsibilities with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance include working with church-based organizations to plan, assess and implement a response to international disaster situation on behalf of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). His primary focus is building program and capacity in Africa, but he also covers Asia and the Pacific. Currently, Asikoye is engaged in responses in Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Sierra Leone and Sudan.