Earlier this year UMCOR assisted the United Methodist Church in the Democratic Republic of Congo to establish three feeding centers for children who are among tens of thousands of refugees and displaced persons who have fled the fighting in that country and surrounding nations. In the North Katanga area, the United Methodist conference is the only organization providing relief to the refugees. The feeding centers provide meals for malnourished and unaccompanied children and they cannot continue without UMCOR support. Please give generously to UMCOR's Advance #198400-0, "Democratic Republic of Congo Emergency."

   UMCOR staff have spoken with conference leaders in Little Rock, Arkansas following the ice storms. Because of the state of emergency, they have not been able to do damage assessments yet, but anticipate that many low-income families will need assistance in repairing homes that have been damaged in the storm. To support recovery efforts in Arkansas and other states affected by the intense winter storms, please give to UMCOR's Domestic Disaster Response, Advance #901670-1.

   Your gifts to the Middle East Emergency, Advance #601740-2 will help provide food and other necessary items for Palestinians who cannot work because of the closures. Funds will also help to rebuild hundreds of homes that have been damaged or destroyed by shelling in Beit Sahour and other Palestinian communities. Beit Sahour overlooks Bethlehem and is the traditional site of the shepherd's field where the angels announced the birth of Christ.

   There are several other international disaster response efforts that continue to need your support. To provide relief for people in Mexico who have been displaced by the volcanic eruption, give to UMCOR's International Disaster Response, #982450-8. For flood relief and recovery in many Asian countries, give to "Asia Floods," Advance #229650-4. To provide food and heating fuel for children suffering from ongoing famine in North Korea, give to "North Korea Emergency," Advance #226435-0.

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 all who suffer from violence, natural disasters, hunger, and poverty.

Further Information

• United Methodists to Assist Families in Beit Sahour, UMNS, December 5, 2000
• United Methodists Assist in Alabama Tornado Cleanup, UMNS, December 20, 2000