November 15, 2002: United Methodists are heavily involved in cleanup and recovery from the tornadoes that struck in the southeastern United States this week. In Tennessee, where there was damage in 16 counties, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has made a disaster declaration. In the Tennessee Conference, United Methodist early response teams are providing cleanup. In the Holston Conference*, cleanup is just beginning; volunteers are requested. United Methodists are among those meeting today with other groups to plan the recovery process.
FEMA has designated Alabama, with 29 counties affected, a major disaster area. Cleanup is in process. Agencies will meet for long-term planning next week. The North Alabama Conference is working closely with the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, which had one church destroyed and another damaged. In total, 670 homes were damaged or destroyed. United Methodist early response teams are providing food and helping with cleanup. Here, too, volunteers will be needed.
The West Ohio Conference will need volunteers. Of 29 counties that had damage, Hauling and Putnam Counties were hardest hit. Some of the counties are in the area of the East Ohio Conference. The process of cleanup has begun. A meeting of the volunteer agencies will be held next Friday. In the Van Wert area, several companies are so badly damaged that approximately 1000 employees are currently without jobs. The workplaces of 300 people have been completely destroyed.
Still, this is only part of the story. Thirteen states have been affected by these latest storms. United Methodists in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, are involved in the cleanup. UMCOR is forming early response teams for cleanup in Louisiana after this week brought more heavy rains and flooding in addition to the damage from earlier storms.
To respond to all the situations caused by these latest widespread tornadoes, please contribute to UMCOR's Domestic Disaster Response Advance #901670-1 "November Storms 2002." A specific annual conference or state may be designated. You may volunteer by calling 1-800-918-3100.
The southern part of Zimbabwe is an area that has been hardest hit by the drought in southern Africa. Farai Wadzanai is an older farm worker who lives Gutu Province. He no longer has enough food for his family. Recently he looked up at the sky, and said, "We hope for rain." Though he must borrow money, he still sends two of his four children to school. Garal Gonese, the chief of Chingombe Village, who works as a teacher, is worried about the impact of the drought on the educational system. Parents must use money that would have gone to school fees to buy food. About 170 children have quit school because they must work to help their families survive. Please give to the Churchwide Appeal for Southern Africa Famine Advance #101250-4.
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.
*Note: Holston Conference includes congregations in East Tennessee, Southwest Virginia and the area of Georgia surrounding Chattanooga.
