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September 5, 2003: Tropical Storm Henri hits Florida today. US Weather Service sources predict up to 12 inches of rain in its wake as Henri saturates the Gulf Coast this evening and moves into North Central Florida overnight. UMCOR is closely monitoring the impact of this storm. Your gift to Hurricanes 2003 Advance #982438 will help provide emergency disaster relief to the most vulnerable victims of flooding and storm damage.
Floods plague Indiana once again this week, with parts of the state inundated by heavy rains. An emergency grant to the South Indiana Annual Conference will assist recovery efforts there. You can help by designating a generous contribution for Domestic Disaster Response Advance #901670.
Internationally, humanitarian workers in Iraq face the harsh reality of risks in delivering aid under difficult security conditions. But, with your gifts to the Iraq Emergency Advance #623225, UMCOR has been able to provide $100,000 worth of medical supplies for children, plus funding for primary and nursery schools at Al Hillah. Also alleviating human suffering in Iraq are projects covering sanitation, health, agriculture, education and leadership development.
School is beginning again! In Haiti, children look to their schools to provide a hot meal for them-- often the only one they receive that day. The Methodist Church of Haiti, through their network of schools, can provide that meal with your compassionate gifts to Haiti Hot Lunch Advance #418790. Remember the children of Haiti as you pack your lunch boxes, and help provide for them too.
We draw upon the International Disaster Response Advance #982450 for a variety of emergency responses. When a disaster strikes, this Advance invokes UMCOR's initial response while we wait for designated gifts to come in. For example, initial aid grants for war-displaced in Liberia and typhoon survivors in the Philippines for food, shelter and medicine have been possible because of this Advance. We also can respond to smaller, more hidden needs-- for example, a recent grant to Africa University for training modules in disaster preparedness and response. Your generous donations are much appreciated around the world!
Recovery from a precedent-shattering disaster like 9/11 is complex. UMCOR continues to work with hidden victims who still suffer mind-boggling disruptions as a result of the attacks. As the second anniversary approaches, UMCOR thanks all United Methodists whose generosity has funded a series of recovery programs serving these most vulnerable. Around the globe, your gifts have enabled such programs as medical and job advocacy, legal aid to immigrants affected by new laws, psychological counseling referrals, health and school kits and a host of other services. We ask your prayers for those who continue to suffer from the impact of 9/11.
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.
