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January 4, 2002: The winter storms that have pounded the southeastern part of the United States have left homes currently under construction or rehabilitation in North Carolina without electricity. Electricity is expected to be restored before the next volunteer teams arrive. Much construction remains to be done to complete the recovery from Hurricane Floyd. Volunteer teams are desperately needed.
Volunteers are also needed in Houston, Texas to continue to recovery from Tropical Storm Allison. Ten teams a week are required to complete the work. Volunteers in both North Carolina and Texas are needed on an on-going basis. Please call 1-800-918-3100 to volunteer.
The Greater New Jersey Annual Conference has been building its response to victims of the September 11th events. They are focusing their sights on case management and outreach. Their five-year plan and proposal are being completed. These and other responses continue to be provided to those who suffer as a result of this tragedy. Your gifts to "Love in the Midst of Tragedy, Advance #901125-3" make this work possible.
Cyclone Waka, the strongest in recent memory, hit the Tongan islands on New Year's Day. Over 90% of crops were destroyed. Roofs were blown off, houses damaged, and trees uprooted. Damage is running into the millions and food shortages are expected. UMCOR will be in communication with the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga, which is part of the Methodist family, to develop a response plan. Gifts may be made to "Asia Floods, Advance #229650-4" to assist in the response.
Certain parts of Sri Lanka have not had rain for the past 22 months causing a drought situation threatening the livelihood of nearly 2 million people. Through our partners, ACT and the National Council of Sri Lanka (NCCSL), UMCOR is providing relief distribution of food, seeds and fertilizers. Your gifts to "International Disaster Response, Advance #982450-8" allow UMCOR to respond to this and other disasters around the world.
Gifts may be made through local United Methodist churches, or by calling 1-800-554-8583. Credit card donations are accepted. (Read more about how you can help UMCOR's emergency responses.)
UMCOR is providing emergency relief in many areas of the world. To find out more about current UMCOR ministries, please visit the website: http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/ .
And, please pray for those who are hungry, displaced, sick or in poverty because of these and other natural and human-made disasters, and for the workers who minister to them.
