August 23, 2002: Torrential and persistent monsoon rains have caused massive flooding and landslides in the neighboring countries of Bangladesh, India and Nepal. The problems the countries are facing are interlinked because they share the same rivers. UMCOR, with Action by Churches Together (ACT) partners, is involved in relief operations in all three countries. $138,000 has been requested for Bangladesh, nearly one million dollars to help 10,000 families along with $50,000 for blankets and kitchen utilities for other victims in India, and $72,000 to help the most desperate victims in Nepal. Please give to International Disaster Response Advance #982450-8
UMCOR continues its support of Texas flood victims through the Rio Grande and South West 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 funds will be needed for this response in the future. Your contribution can be directed to this current emergency in Texas through Advance #901315-0 "Texas Floods."
UMCOR, in conjunction with other ACT partners, is responding to the serious food needs in Zimbabwe. The government has declared the situation a national disaster. Tens of thousands must have emergency food assistance. One program UMCOR supports is able to feed a child with fortified porridge for 3.2 cents per day, give a family enough drought-resistant seeds to grow their food for $15, and feed a family of 5 for 15 cents per day. 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.
Your help is still needed in response to the worst floods in 500 years in the southern part of the European continent. 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.
