July 30, 1999
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UMCOR staff are actively in communication with the Iowa and Wisconsin Conferences which have experienced flood damage. Many roads remain closed, water is mixed with sewage, and many people have suffered property damage and loss. More than 3000 homes were destroyed in the towns of Waverly and Charles City. UMCOR is currently assessing the damage and is in the process of sending flood buckets for clean-up. The latest reports indicate water levels are decreasing. You may join in these emergency response efforts by giving to UMCOR's Domestic Disaster Response #901670-1. If you are interested in volunteering, call UMCOR's Depot Volunteer line at (800) 334-4221.
The Oklahoma and Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conferences are continuing an intensive evaluation and recovery planning with families who lost their homes in the tornadoes. Ten thousand homes were completely destroyed and must be rebuilt from the foundation up. There has been an overwhelming response of material resources. Financial resources are urgently needed. To date, United Methodists and others have given $80,000 for this emergency response, and UMCOR estimates that $900,000 will be needed over the next two years to provide adequate assistance. Please give generously to UMCOR's Spring Storms '99, Advance #901415-4. The United States government has donated goods from its bases in Panama to UMCOR for distribution in Central and South America. UMCOR currently has an assessment team in Panama dedicated to deploying all usable goods to mission partners in Central and South America. A list of 27,000 goods includes: dishwashers, furniture, equipment, sound systems and various other material resources. UMCOR will need volunteers for the next several weeks to assist in receiving and cataloging these goods in Panama. Call Volunteers in Mission line (800) 554-8583 for further information on this and other volunteer opportunities. Please pray for those who suffer from disasters, war, hunger, and poverty.. < UMCOR Hotline: |
