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August 15, 2003: Recently United Methodist Bishop John Innis of Liberia described the humanitarian crisis in his country. "People are starving. Children are dying. Medication is not available," Food, water, fuel, shelter and medicines are desperately needed. UMCOR will resume its work inside Liberia as soon as possible. A container of supplies for Liberia is ready for shipment at Sager Brown Depot in Louisiana. Keep the people of Liberia in your prayers and support the Liberia Emergency Advance #150300 that enables UMCOR's response on your behalf.
More storms swept across parts of Florida in the past week. UMCOR sent an emergency grant to be used in the Leesburg and Broward Palm Beach Districts. Work continues in Indiana and Western Ohio in the aftermath of flooding caused by severe storms that swept through central Indiana in early July. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has invited UMCOR to provide case management training in both states. Please give to UMCOR's Domestic Disaster Response, Advance #901670.
Sudan has suffered from war for two decades. Its four million displaced people have to struggle for a mere existence. In late May, 500 internally displaced families who had lived for 15+ years in Hungur, Gedaref State were forcibly moved to another part of the state. No form of assistance has been provided to the families. UMCOR's ecumenical partner, the Sudan Council of Churches, seeks to assist these people with shelter materials, such as plastic sheeting, and other basic needs like blankets, cooking utensils, and seeds for small home gardens. Please give to UMCOR's Sudan Emergency, Advance #184385.
More than three months have passed since tornadoes ripped through western Tennessee. While most of the visible debris has been cleared, there still remains quite a bit left to do. Working with more than 20 faith-based and civic groups, Methodist Disaster Recovery Services, supported by UMCOR through the Memphis Annual Conference, is running the case management program. Hundreds of people need long-term help. United Methodist workers have received requests for food, mental health counseling, free legal help, and other goods and services. Assisting United Methodists' work in relief with other local groups is one of the ways that your gifts to Domestic Disaster Response, Advance #901670, help people in need.
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.
