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June 8, 2001
Flooding is the result of remnants of Tropical Storm Allison. The storm weakened after making landfall Tuesday night, but the rain-producing clouds haven't moved away. Between five and 11 inches of rain soaked areas around Houston and east into Louisiana and the rain continues. Bishop Hutchinson of Louisiana has requested 250 flood buckets for two small towns (Broussard and Erath) near Lafayette, LA. Assessments are still being done in the Texas Annual Conference. To respond to this emergency, please give generously to UMCOR's Hurricanes 2001, Advance #982350.
Due to recurrent flooding in South Dakota, UMCOR has provided funds to the Dakotas Annual Conference for use in flood control efforts.
In the last three weeks, 500 to 1,000 cases of hidden victims of Hurricane Floyd (1999) have emerged in North Carolina. These are people who have fallen through the cracks of disaster response efforts. North Carolina has asked for additional assistance from UMCOR to meet these newly emerging needs. You can assist with this continuing response by giving generously to the Churchwide Appeal for Major Storm Devastation, Advance #982460-1.
UMCOR continues to support the efforts to repair and rebuild homes in Beit Sahour that have been heavily damaged or destroyed by Israeli shelling. The local partner is Rapprochement. Volunteers in Mission teams are organizing to help with the rebuilding and provide a ministry of presence, when it is safe to travel. The Bethlehem Bible College's Shepherds' Society has received funds from UMCOR that are being used to alleviate some of the pressure caused by border closures. This project provides coupons for food and help for people to pay for things such as utility bills, school fees, and medical expenses while they are prevented from going to work. The Shepherd's Society has also begun a trauma counseling program. Gifts to assist in this response can be directed to UMCOR's Middle East Emergency, Advance #601740
Volunteers are needed in the following areas: El Salvador, Montserrat, North Carolina, Virginia, and Wisconsin. To learn more about these opportunities, please call (800) 918-3100.
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.)
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.
Allison
El Salvador
World Refugee Day, June 20
