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August 3, 2004
Iraq: Deadly Church Bombings Denounced; Humanitarian Aid Continues
Christian and Muslim leaders in Iraq and around the world have denounced the deadly attacks on Iraqi churches on Sunday. Coordinated car bomb explosions near five Iraqi Christian churches killed at least twelve people, both Christian and Muslim, and wounded scores of others in Baghdad and the northern city of Mosul. One of the blasts in Baghdad also damaged the offices of Action by Churches Together and the Middle East Council of Churches, but no one was injured. Despite the continuing violence and unrest, UMCOR's ecumenical partner the International Orthodox Christian Charities continues its work in Iraq. Through the IOCC's network, which includes churches that were bombed this week, hundreds of low income Iraqi families receive food and other necessities. You can help this ministry by giving to UMCOR Advance #623225, Iraq Emergency. Even a small donation helps:
Bangladesh: Monumental Flooding Leaves Millions Homeless
The worst monsoon floods since 1998 have deluged Bangladesh. Three major rivers and many tributaries crisscross the delta country. Many families have watched waters submerge their flimsy homes. UMCOR has sent a grant to Action by Churches Together, the international alliance of faith-based humanitarian aid agencies. Workers have begun to distribute food to some 10,000 of the most vulnerable. Please pray for flood-affected families in Bangladesh-- and consider a gift to UMCOR Advance #202400, Bangladesh Emergency.
USA: A Summer of Storms
A foot of rain in Texas, a tornado in Pennsylvania, failed dams in New Jersey, flash floods in Arkansas-- these are the storms of summer 2004. UMCOR is sending flood buckets filled with cleaning supplies to volunteers in the Lancaster, Texas, area. Workers there have begun clearing away silt and debris from last week's 12-inch rainfall that destroyed more than 200 homes. In Campbelltown, Pennsylvania, residents are clearing away the debris left after tornadoes destroyed 37 homes and damaged another 100. An UMCOR grant has gone to the Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference to assist with recovery. New Jersey volunteers continue the cleanup from heavy rains and failed dams that plagued the state last month. UMCOR has sent a grant to the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference to provide assistance. Flash floods inundated the Greenwood, Arkansas, area recently, displacing some 100 families. UMCOR's grant to the Arkansas Annual Conference will help residents in the recovery process. United Methodists can make sure UMCOR is ready to respond quickly to such emergencies with contributions to Advance #901670, Domestic Disaster Response.
India: Incessant Rainfall Surpasses Records
Vast areas of several regions of India are under water, disrupting communications and displacing tens of thousands. UMCOR has provided a grant to its partner CASA-- Church's Auxiliary for Social Action-- to assist with providing food, plastic sheeting, clothing, and blankets. In the meantime, because the extent of damage will be unclear until floodwaters recede, CASA will continue to assess needs. You can assure a United Methodist presence in response to the flooding in India through a generous gift to UMCOR Advance #274305, South Asia Emergency.
Sudan: Worst Humanitarian Disaster Continues
The crisis in Sudan is the world's worst humanitarian disaster, say United Nations officials. Nearly 30,000 residents have been killed during 16 months of armed conflict in the Darfur region of western Sudan. Over a million more have fled to camps in the Darfur region or beyond Sudan's border to camps in Chad. UMCOR is working with partners to expand support for displaced Sudanese people. Your generous gifts to UMCOR Advance #184385, Sudan Emergency, will help in a meaningful way.
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.
