UMCOR staff have been in contact with the disaster response coordinator for the Southeast Conference of the Methodist Church of Mexico following Tuesday's earthquake. An initial emergency grant is being sent, and UMCOR disaster response consultants will travel to the area next week to help assess the damage. Latest reports indicate that at least 25 people died, hundreds were injured, and many homes and historic buildings and churches were damaged or destroyed. To join in this response, please give to UMCOR's International Disaster Response #982450-8.

Rebuilding work is beginning in Oklahoma following the tornadoes. Donations of power tools and saws are needed for the construction work. If you can donate these items, please call (800) 996-6552. To assist with the extensive rebuilding efforts, you may give to UMCOR's Spring Storms '99, Advance 901415-4.

There is an urgent need for volunteers at the UMCOR Depot in Baldwin, Louisiana from August through October. Short-term groups who can help process material resources for shipping are needed as well as individuals or couples to assume longer term responsibilities with operations and project supervision. Please call the Volunteer Coordinator at (800) 334-4221.

An ACT (Action by Churches Together) assessment team has been in Kosovo this past week. They will gather information and help determine the needs for an ACT response to those who remained in Kosovo and the refugees who are returning. Ministries with refugees in Albania, Macedonia, Montenegro and Bosnia continue. To respond to this ongoing critical situation, please give to UMCOR's International Disaster Response #982450-8.

Give through your local United Methodist church or call (800) 554-8583 to make a credit card donation.

UMCOR is continuing to assign Kosovar refugee cases where churches (in areas where CWS/UMCOR can resettle refugees) are ready to sponsor. Local congregations are urged to consider sponsorship and co-sponsorship needed for families from Kosovo and from Africa. For further information please see the UMCOR website at {http://gbgm-umc.org/global/refugees/resettle.html} or contact UMCOR's refugee office at 212-870-3807, fax: 212-870-3624.

Please pray for those who suffer from disasters, war, hunger, and poverty,

   UMCOR Hotline:
   Phone: 1-800-841-1235
   Web: http://gbgm-umc.org/UMCOR-Hotline/