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February 16, 2001
The second major earthquake in El Salvador several days ago has compounded the crisis in that country. UMCOR continues to work through its partners to meet the immediate needs for food, water, medical attention and shelter. Residents must endure constant aftershocks and there are fears of increased volcanic activity. UMCOR and its partners, the Methodist Church of El Salvador and ACT (Action by Churches Together, the relief and development arm of the World Council of Churches), are committed to long-term recovery and will focus on rebuilding housing. Please give generously to Advance #511447-0 "El Salvador Earthquake." Call (800) 918-3100 for information on volunteer work teams.
UMCOR is expanding its work in Kosovo and Serbia to reach out to both Albanian and Serb populations with small business-regeneration projects and youth work. Working across ethnic lines is essential for peace-building and reconciliation. UMCOR is the only international organization implementing a joint peace-building and youth initiative program on either side of the divided city of Mitrovica. You can support this ongoing war-recovery work by giving to Advance #333405.
Please continue your gifts to UMCOR's "South Asia Earthquake" Advance #274305 to support ongoing relief efforts in India. UMCOR partners CASA (Church's Auxiliary for Social Action) and ACT (Action by Churches Together), are distributing food, drinking water, relief kits, tarpaulins and lanterns. Long-term recovery plans include working to restore people's livelihood through providing agricultural support and tools for craftspersons, developing a food-for-work program, and building earthquake resistant houses.
Gifts may be made through local United Methodist churches, or by calling 1-800-554-8583. Credit card donations are accepted. (Read more about how you can help UMCOR's emergency responses.)
Please pray for those who suffer from hunger, poverty, natural and human-made disasters.
Photos: 1. Maria Rivas, 55, a resident of Ozatlán, Usulután, cleans rubble from what was her home before a January earthquake. ACT partners in El Salvador have provided emergency relief assistance in hundreds of rural villages throughout the ravaged country. Credit: Paul Jeffrey/ACT. See more photos. 2. Some of destruction from the earthquake in India. Credit: Christian Aid/Dominic Nutt, India, February 2001
