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December 7, 2001: UMCOR is continuing to support the efforts to provide the people of Afghanistan, both those who are refugees and those who remain within the country, with the resources they need to survive the winter. In spite of the difficulties of working within Afghanistan, an assessment team from the UMCOR Tajikistan office is in northern Afghanistan assessing needs and establishing a distribution system for shelter kits, household kits, and hygiene supplies. UMCOR is also supporting the Church World Service relief efforts in Pakistan, providing resources for refugees and supporting the women's quilt-making project.
In the United States, plans will soon be finalized for the long-term response in New York City. These efforts will include ongoing counseling and case-management work. UMCOR will assist those who were affected by the attacks through the loss of a family member, the loss of employment, or the ongoing effects of trauma. Your gifts to Love in the Midst of Tragedy, Advance #901125-3 will make this long-term response possible, both within the United States and internationally.
The UMC in Mozambique continues to help people recover from the devastating floods of 2000 and 2001 . The church is working with local officials in the North Conference to obtain land on which to build 132 houses for flood survivors. These are people who not only lost their homes, but also lost the land their homes were on, which is now under water. Please continue your support for Mozambique Flood Recovery, Advance #156500.
UMCOR is sending a disaster response consultant to work with the Mississippi Annual Conference in the wake of the recent tornadoes. Your gifts to UMCOR's Domestic Disaster Response, Advance #901670 will help people in several states respond to these recent storms.
The UMC in Sierra Leone has sent an appeal for assistance in repatriating and resettling pastors, teachers, nurses, women's workers, and other conference workers in the Kona District. These church and community leaders were forced to flee their homes along with the rest of the population during the war. Some are displaced within Sierra Leone, others are refugees in Guinea, Liberia, and Ghana. In order to return and resume their work they need assistance with transportation, and they need the basics to start all over again: utensils, mattresses, lamps, buckets, food, health kits and other essential supplies. Your gifts to Sierra Leone Emergency Relief, Advance #181205-1 will help the church rebuild their war-torn country.
Volunteers are needed to help with rebuilding in Houston, Texas, and West Virginia following floods in both areas earlier this year. Please call (800) 918-3100 to find out about current volunteer opportunities.
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 of the world. To find out more about current UMCOR ministries, please visit the website: http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor.
In this season of Advent, please remember those who suffer from hunger, poverty, and disasters in your prayers and in your preparations to celebrate Jesus' birth.
Photo: An Afghan refugee woman works on a quilt to help support her family in Quetta, Pakistan. About 400 women are taking part in the project. Credit: Paul Jeffrey / ACT.
