April 5, 2005
South Asia: UMCOR Responds in New Quake with Tents, Medicines
The United Methodist Committee on Relief last week joined an ecumenical coalition rushing emergency aid to the island of Nias, hard hit by the powerful earthquake that struck Monday, March 28, off the west coast of Indonesia. UMCOR, in partnership with Church World Service, sent 35 boxes of medicines, 14 boxes of gloves, 500 tents, and 1,000 packages of emergency supplies on a United Nations helicopter, together with a water purification unit and other supplies. Both organizations are members of Action by Churches Together, the international ecumenical alliance. Please continue to pray for South Asia earthquake and tsunami survivors, and give generously to UMCOR Advance #274305, South Asia Emergency.
United States: UMCOR Responds to Georgia Tornadoes and Atlantic Seaboard Floods
Tornadoes tore through several south Georgia towns in late March. More than 200 homes fell to the high winds. UMCOR has sent an initial grant to enable the South Georgia disaster team to begin their response to affected families. An interfaith crew cleared debris; volunteers to do the "heavy lifting" of rebuilding can call toll free 1-800-918-3100 to hear about opportunities and receive a local contact. Farther north, floods disrupted schools and caused evacuations near overflowing rivers in eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. UMCOR is monitoring these areas, where it is too early to assess damage. You can assist in a meaningful way with your gift to UMCOR Advance #901670, Domestic Disaster Response.
Worldwide: Health Kits at the Top of UMCOR's Wish List
UMCOR field offices have requested nearly 193,000 health kits for distribution in 2005 - more than UMCOR has ever shipped before. New operations in Indonesia and Sri Lanka have placed demands on supplies of kits. Elderly refugees and children displaced from their homes in Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia are also beneficiaries. The kits provide much needed supplies for daily hygiene for vulnerable people who have little to call their own. The 2005 requests for school kits is also at a record high - some 78,000 school-age children will receive school kits, but only if supplies allow. Health kits and school kits are fun to assemble and can introduce even young children to the satisfaction of hands-on mission. See our web site for specifications and shipping information. Please consider these in-kind gifts as an expression of your care for the most vulnerable. Or let a cash gift "say it for you" - to UMCOR Advance #901440, Material Resource Ministry, Health Kits or School Kits.
Bosnia: Drama Course, Internet Club, Library - All at an UMCOR Youth House
Gornji Vakuf-Uskoplje teens who grew up in a divided community are enjoying drama courses, an Internet club, library, art workshops, and other activities that encourage tolerance and peace building, all at a youth house in their town. UMCOR's Bosnia-Herzegovina office assisted in the implementation of the youth house program. Some 450 children and youth and as many as 500 adults from diverse national and social backgrounds participate together in programs that help bring the community together after years of violent fighting in the streets. A recent UMCOR grant helps to close a gap caused by a sluggish economy in the region - but more could be done. Please support young people's efforts to reunite their town in Bosnia through a generous gift to UMCOR Advance #333640, Bosnia Youth Houses.
Medicine Box: New E-Bulletin Insert
UMCOR has just published new electronic bulletin insert about the Medicine Box® program and how congregations can participate. The insert is print friendly, ready for you to download and use locally. A typical Medicine Box contains 18 essential drugs and medical supplies-- enough to treat illnesses and injuries in a population of about a thousand people for three months.
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.