June 8, 2004
Liberia: "I Can Feel the Zeal"
As many as 4,500 former soldiers are being housed over a two-month period at a new camp in Liberia operated by UMCOR. At the camp, ex-combatants-- a term for fighting forces and the people who accompanied them during Liberia's 14-year civil crisis-- are undergoing health screening, receiving counseling, and participating in activities designed to prepare them for next steps in their return to their communities. Joseph, who came to the camp after his eight-year stint in the National Patriotic Front, told an UMCOR worker of his optimism. "I can feel the zeal," he said. "I am sure this time total peace will come." Your generous gifts to UMCOR Advance #150300, Liberia Emergency, will assist ex-combatants like Joseph in a meaningful way.
United States: Tornadoes, Floods Challenge Relief Workers
Some areas of Indiana were still inaccessible for days after Memorial Day weekend tornadoes tore through 13 counties. Weekend storms also affected Tennessee and West Virginia. UMCOR is providing disaster relief grants to several conferences: Indiana, Holston, and West Virginia. You can help assist the most vulnerable survivors through gifts to UMCOR Advance #901670, Domestic Disaster Response.
Democratic Republic of Congo: Dissident Forces Create Tense Situation
Civilians in the disputed eastern DR Congo town of Bukavu face a humanitarian crisis with doctors unable to reach casualties, widespread rape, and food aid looted, according to Reuters reports. UMCOR chief executive Paul Dirdak called reports from Bukavu "distressing in the extreme." Describing the peace process as "fragile" and vulnerable to violence, he appealed for restraint among the dissident troops, who are former fighters from a large Rwandan-backed rebel force. "The United Methodist Church, through its many Congolese congregations, pastors, members, clinics, and schools, is dedicated to the safe and peaceful return of the displaced and the repair of Congolese homes and livelihood. Let all who value the restoration of eastern Congo renew their efforts for the peace accords," the Rev. Dirdak said. UMCOR projects in the DRC include retraining for former combatants, reconstruction, agriculture, and education. Please pray for peace in the DRC. And please give generously to UMCOR Advance #198400, Democratic Republic of Congo Emergency.
Dominican Republic and Haiti: Villages May Be Vulnerable to More Mudslides
Relief workers widened their searches to remote areas in the Dominican Republic and Haiti for more survivors of floods and mudslides that have killed some 2,000 people. In some isolated villages residents fear additional mudslides from accumulated rocks and debris. UMCOR is partnering with the Iglesia Evangelica Dominicana and Action by Churches Together in relief efforts. You can help with your donation to UMCOR Advance #410200, Dominican Republic/Haiti Flood Relief.
India: Drought Costs Lives of Farmers
Each day, some five to seven farmers in India are taking their own lives as a paralyzing drought causes their crops to fail, wells to dry up, trees to die, and livelihoods to shrink by half. A five-state region of southern India is affected. In an initial response, UMCOR is sending a grant to Action by Churches Together, an international alliance of churches and church-backed agencies. Coordinating the ACT response is CASA-- the Church's Auxiliary for Social Action-- a relief agency in India that provides recovery assistance during disasters, and a long-time partner of UMCOR. Plans include delivery of safe water, food for livestock, and rice to about 8,500 families. In addition the agency will drill wells and build water collection containers. Though the death toll has reached over 4,000 due to heat, hunger, and suicide in the six-year drought, the situation has the potential to be a "hidden disaster," unnoticed by media. Gifts to UMCOR Advance #274305, South Asia Emergency, will help to underwrite ongoing response.
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.