May 10, 2005
Georgia: UMCOR Provides Flood Relief
In the Republic of Georgia "April Showers" turned into April floods this year. For nearly a week, daily torrential rains accumulated, causing landslides and the worst flooding in recent history. The resulting destruction includes downed electric lines and contaminated water systems. UMCOR's NGO field office unit helped to assess the damage in four districts of western Georgia and build plans for disaster response and recovery. Your gift can make a difference to vulnerable families in the flood zones. Please give to UMCOR Advance #250305, Georgia Emergency.
South Asia: You Are There With UMCOR
The ornate handle shaped like an elephant's trunk stood out among the debris scattered around Banda Aceh. It looked like it had broken off of a pottery vase or pitcher. In comparison to the other items in the rubble, a visitor could tell that it had once belonged to something special. The handle caught the eye of an UMCOR official visiting Indonesia in April. She reflected how this piece of pottery echoes what the tsunami did in many areas: it took something beautiful and cherished, and left brokenness.
Now, thanks to your prayers and support, that brokenness is slowly mending. Through unprecedented donations totaling $32.4 million for tsunami recovery, UMCOR is funding work in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Somalia, Thailand, and India. UMCOR workers are supplying new nets and boats, beginning construction of new homes, cleaning wells polluted by saltwater that flooded inland in the December 26, 2004 tsunami that caused catastrophic loss of life and damage to countries on all sides of the Indian Ocean. Through these donations you are there with UMCOR, helping people in very practical ways-providing food, water, clothing, shelter and jobs.
UMCOR has just published new electronic bulletin insert, "Tsunami Recovery in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Somalia and Beyond". It is ready for you to download, print, and use locally.
Young Humanitarians Assemble Health Kits
From coast-to-coast, young folk are demonstrating that humanitarian service need not be the sole province of adults. UMCOR has enjoyed the following stories:
As these young humanitarians discovered, making health kits is a good way to participate in hands-on mission. Get involved as they did! Visit our website, for more information on how to assemble and ship. Or let your cash gifts "go for you." Donate to UMCOR Advance #901440, Material Resources Ministry.
Afghanistan: Helping Refugees Return Home
In the mountainous Paktya Province of Afghanistan, UMCOR workers recently met with Banuzai tribesmen who have returned home after years of being refugees in Pakistan. Tribal leaders, who are rebuilding their community from the ground up, discussed their group's progress and needs. An UMCOR official comments, "I am very impressed with how these people have had the courage to return to almost nothing. They are trying very hard to build their own lives and communities." A few months ago, UMCOR provided Banuzai families with blankets, plastic sheeting, and a cash contribution for fuel to help them survive the coldest winter in more than 15 years. The Banuzai are one of many different groups of returnees that UMCOR assists in Paktya Province by building houses, latrines and septic wells and providing livestock so families can earn a living. Please give to UMCOR Advance #602225, Afghanistan Emergency, and help this important work continue.
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.