August 16, 2002: Snowstorms both unseasonal and especially violent have suddenly changed life for some 98,000 mostly impoverished rural peasants in the high country of Bolivia and Peru. Six hundred people have died. 50% of the livestock has been killed. Food rations, seeds for new crops, veterinarian services and training are being provided by UMCOR through Action by Churches Together (ACT) for 675 vulnerable families. You can help by directing contributions to International Disaster Response, Advance #982450-8.
While there is no new damage reported from the continuing rains last week in the San Antonio and Corpus Christi, Texas areas, UMCOR Disaster Response continues its support through the Rio Grande and SW Texas Conference Disaster Response organizations. $10,000 has been given by UMCOR to an appeal by our ecumenical partner for seed grants to Interfaith Recovery organizations in these areas. Additional funding requests will be coming to UMCOR as the needs and plans for reponse continue to be defined. Your contribution can be directed to this current emergency in Texas through Advance #901315-0 "Texas Floods."
UMCOR, in conjunction with other Action by Churches Together partners, is responding to the serious food needs of thousands in Zimbabwe. The government has declared the situation a national disaster. Funds will be used to provide emergency food assistance to more than 80,000 people including extra nutritional supplements for more than 40,000 children under 5. Please continue to support the Churchwide Appeal for Southern Africa Famine, Advance #101250-4. Your gifts are needed to provide immediate and long-term assistance to people who are facing starvation throughout Southern Africa.
The worst floods in 500 years are rapidly spreading across the European continent. Thousands have been forced from their homes. Hardest hit is the Czeck Republic where 200,000 have fled Prague and southern Bohemia. Severe damage is reported in the Russian Federation's Black Sea area as well as southern Romania, Austria, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, and Bulgaria. Action by Churches Together is organizing emergency response at both regional and national levels. Gifts should be designated to the floods through the Europe Emergency Advance #368210-5.
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.
