The UMCOR Hotline
September 27, 2005
In Today's Hotline:
Hurricane Rita: UMCOR Expands Relief Efforts
Hurricane Katrina: UMCOR’s Comprehensive Response
Afghanistan: Wells for Returnees
Zimbabwe: Helping the Most Vulnerable
HURRICANE RITA: UMCOR EXPANDS RELIEF EFFORTS Hurricane Rita added insult to injury for many Hurricane Katrina survivors. The storm added new burdens to an already-overtaxed relief response. Towns in western Louisiana are flooded an inaccessible. The Rev. Tom Hazelwood, disaster response executive for UMCOR has virtually lived in the disaster zones of the two hurricanes since Aug. 29. He is helping to coordinate relief efforts over the four states affected by these storms. UMCOR is opening relief centers in the Texas disaster zone. They will stock and distribute supplies from other depots, such as UMCOR Sager Brown, the mission center and warehouse in Baldwin, LA. In Louisiana, conference officials are working with UMCOR to extend their network of emergency response to areas affected by Hurricane Rita, such as Lake Charles. Cash gifts will help UMCOR continue to support Hurricane Rita relief efforts. Please give generously to UMCOR Advance #901323, Hurricane Rita. HURRICANE KATRINA: UMCOR’S COMPREHENSIVE RESPONSE UMCOR is assisting thousands affected by Katrina. Currently UMCOR is working in the emergency phase, the first of a comprehensive three-stage response model. The three phases will extend to years of work. Beginning with emergency response, moving on to relief work, and then to long-term case management, UMCOR workers help individuals and families make a complete recovery from the disaster. “Their needs may involve windows, doors and walls,” says Christy Smith, UMCOR disaster response consultant. “They might need spiritual and emotional support. We are there to advocate, to assist and to help frame ways to make each person's recovery process fit their personal needs." UMCOR’s response to Hurricane Katrina will take time and creativity to meet the variety and depth of needs that exist in the wake of this disaster. Give generously to help people throughout the Gulf recover from Hurricane Katrina by giving to UMCOR Advance #982523, Hurricanes 2005. Find out how your dollars are already at work through UMCOR’s latest Report to Donors. Please print and share this new resource. AFGHANISTAN: WELLS FOR RETURNEES UMCOR Afghanistan is helping people return to their hometowns after years living elsewhere to escape the drawn-out war in Afghanistan. Homecoming is difficult in many areas. People must start completely over; communities must be rebuilt. Homes need to be constructed. A local economy needs to be formed. Even basic infrastructures, like wells for clean drinking water need to be created. UMCOR Afghanistan is working to meet these needs through programs that help people construct their own homes, generate income and support community structures that make the area habitable again. One of these important community structures is access to fresh water. UMCOR Afghanistan is digging seven community wells that will each provide fresh water to 20-40 families. You can help UMCOR Afghanistan provide fresh water to these communities by giving generously to UMCOR Advance #602225, Afghanistan Emergency. ZIMBABWE: HELPING THE MOST VULNERABLE UMCOR is participating in a coordinated response through faith-based agencies in Zimbabwe to care for the thousands of people displaced by the urban clean-up campaign, Operation Restore Order. Those whose homes were bulldozed in the campaign are living in transit camps that are poorly equipped to meet basic needs. Your gifts can make a big difference. For example:
Your gifts do make a difference! Please give to UMCOR Advance #199456, Zimbabwe Emergency to support this important work. 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.
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