The UMCOR Hotline

June 1, 2001

   Thousands of people continue to flee the fighting in Lofa County, Liberia. The Liberia Annual Conference conducted an assessment of the situation, and there are now more than 27,000 displaced persons, with the number growing daily. Most of them are women and children and are suffering from coughs, diarrhea, malaria and malnourishment. The death toll among the elderly is ten persons per day. The United Methodist Church in Liberia has distributed medication and food to thousands of refugees camping at the Gbanga mission station, but the need for food, medicine, and other relief items remains critical. To respond to this emergency, please give generously to UMCOR’s International Disaster Response, Advance #982450.

The disaster response coordinator in Colorado reports that the May 28 tornado in Ellicott destroyed at least 9 homes, and caused major damage to 50 or more. The bishop and district superintendent will be visiting Ellicott on Monday and joining in a community worship service. Next week we will know more about the response that will be needed from UMCOR. To help the people of Ellicott recover, please give to UMCOR’s Domestic Disaster Response, Advance #901670.

On June 10th, a volunteer will begin working in El Salvador to assist the Methodist Church there with the coordination of Volunteer in Mission teams who will help rebuild homes damaged or destroyed in the earthquake. More teams are needed. Call the Volunteer Line (800) 918-3100 for an information packet. Each home will cost $3,000 to construct. The homes are designed to be earthquake resistant and will provide each family with a living area, kitchen, two bedrooms, water and electricity. Your financial support is still needed to rebuild the planned number of homes. Please continue your gifts to El Salvador Earthquake, Advance #511447.

Today marks the beginning of hurricane season, and we have already had the first hurricane of the year in the Eastern Pacific. The Advance number for Hurricane relief and recovery is #982350.

The United Nations has designated June 20 as the first annual World Refugee Day. The theme is "Respect," respect for the refugees themselves, for their positive contributions to society, and for their rights. Please observe this day by raising awareness in your congregation of the situation of refugees. The UMCOR Refugee Ministries unit encourages churches to set aside a Sunday at the end of June for a special refugee worship service. For more information call UMCOR at (212) 870-3806 or visit UMCOR's website.

Gifts may be made through local United Methodist Churches, or by calling (800) 554-8583. Credit card donations are accepted. (Read more about how you can help UMCOR's emergency responses.)

UMCOR is providing emergency relief in many areas at this moment. To find out more about current UMCOR ministries, please visit the website: http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/

Please pray for those who suffer from hunger, poverty, natural and human-made disasters.

Photo Above: Displaced Liberians wait in Belefanai, the town on the border between Lofa and Bong county. They must go through rigorous army scrutiny on the Lofa side of the bridge separating the two counties. Credit: ACT-LWF, Liberia 2001.[click for larger photo]