June 20, 2003: Today is World Refugee Day. UMCOR thanks all who have shown their hospitality and have given resources to help resettle refugees. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is urging faith-based and human rights organizations to acknowledge the ongoing crisis of refugees and to lift up the courage and contributions of refugees when they are given a chance to begin their lives anew. The recent annual report of the U.S. Committee for Refugees cited the increase in the worldwide refugee population from 15 to 19 million persons. You can help by giving to UMCOR's Global Refugee Response, Advance #982540.
Two African bishops, Bishop John Innis of Liberia and Bishop Ntambo Nkulu Ntanda of the Democratic Republic of Congo, are asking for prayers and donations for United Methodist humanitarian ministries in their strife-ridden countries. The United Methodist Church of Liberia is assisting displaced people in the capital city of Monrovia, where tens of thousands live in appalling conditions. Health, water and sanitation, food and clothing, shelter, transportation, and resettlement of those displaced by the brutal fighting are some of the challenges now facing humanitarian organizations. Gifts may be made to Liberia Emergency Advance #150300. North Katanga Annual Conference is preparing distributions of food, medicine and blankets for internally displaced people in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Many people are homeless, having fled the fighting in Malemba-Nkulu region between the police and Mai Mai militia. Your gifts to DR Congo Emergency Advance #198400 are urgently needed to support this ministry of compassion.
UMCOR disaster response personnel, in cooperation with Dr. Chester Jones, General Secretary of the Commission on Religion and Race, have contacted Michigan's Bishop Linda Lee to offer help in response to the emergency situation in Benton Harbor. Religious leaders in the predominantly African-American city say that poverty, crime, and racial tension helped ignite the rioting. According to The Detroit News, incomes in Benton Harbor are the lowest of any of Michigan's cities. Many of the people, especially youth, feel hopeless.
UMCOR's domestic disaster response continues in areas hit by storms and flooding. Scott Jarrett, an American Red Cross spokesperson, has said that more than 463 homes between Charleston and Clendenin, West Virgina, have been damaged or destroyed by floods. About 850 homes in four other counties were also affected. UMCOR disaster response personnel continue to assess the situation to determine where and how resources can best be applied. Work also continues in all the areas hit by storms in May. FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, has asked UMCOR to provide case management training in Chattanooga, Tennessee and Birmingham, Alabama. That training will take place next week. Please support these efforts by giving to Advance #901680, Spring Storms 2003.
UMCOR provides emergency relief in many areas of the world. To find out more about UMCOR's ministries, please visit umcor.org. You can donate to any project by placing a contribution in the offering plate at a local United Methodist church; by sending a check to UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068; or by calling 1-800-554-8583, where credit card donations are accepted. UMCOR is exempt from tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States and qualifies for the maximum charitable contribution deduction by donors.
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.