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December 30, 2003: The United Methodist Committee on Relief is sending two international field specialists to Bam, southeast Iran, in the next few days. Following the deadly earthquake that struck in the early morning of Dec. 26, the pair will assess needs for immediate aid as well as for longer term reconstruction. Guy Hovey, UMCOR's head of mission for Europe and Asia, and David Sadoo, disaster specialist based in New York, may arrive in Iran within the week. While there, they will consult with other members of the disaster response community.
"UMCOR's excellent experience following the earthquakes in Turkey and El Salvador puts the organization in a good position to provide help in Iran," said Paul Dirdak, UMCOR's chief executive. Replacement shelter has been a specialty of the agency in its work throughout Afghanistan, Turkey and the former republic of Yugoslavia, according to Dirdak. So far, the Iran quake has claimed more lives than any other major earthquake in the last decade, according to a chronology compiled by Reuters.
Emergency supplies and money are both critical needs. R. Randy Day, head of the General Board of Global Ministries that administers UMCOR, together with Dirdak, urged United Methodists to respond in two key ways while UMCOR specialists make their way to Iran. The agency expects to provide health kits and school kits, among other supplies, to Iran in coming weeks. Specifications for assembly may be found online at http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/kits.cfm. Gifts to a newly established UMCOR Advance #624315, Iran Earthquake, will underwrite additional humanitarian assistance to the stricken area and "express solidarity with all who suffer there, " Day said. He also asked United Methodists to pray for Iranian sisters and brothers affected by the earthquake.
Heavy rains, mudslides and tornadoes have bludgeoned 20,000 households in the Philippines. According to Bishop Leo Soriano of the Davao Episcopal Area, the church has identified 6,000 of the most vulnerable families for relief efforts with emergency food, medicine and nonfood items. UMCOR is partnering with Filippino United Methodists to assist with these basic necessities. You can help in relief efforts with prayers and generous gifts to UMCOR Advance #240235, Philippines Emergency.
Recently UMCOR sent emergency aid to northern Haiti, where severe flooding and landslides have affected 150,000 people and contaminated water sources. Ongoing civil strife also threatens vulnerable populations on the island. The Rev. Raphael Dessieu, president of the Methodist Church of Haiti, requests your continued prayers. A generous donation, designated for "Haiti Floods," to UMCOR Advance #982450 will assist in bringing hope and comfort to people there.
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.
Our best wishes to you for a new year of peace and reconciliation.
