UMCOR's ecumenical partner ACT (Action by Churches Together) has sent an alert about the situation in East Timor. Church leaders and aid workers are among those being targeted by pro-Indonesian forces. Approximately 60,000 people have fled to West Timor where many are in camps controlled by the Indonesian military, and many more are displaced in East Timor. ACT member churches in West Timor are assisting some of the refugees. It is not possible to contact ACT members in East Timor, and humanitarian relief efforts cannot be launched until the situation stabilizes. Your gifts to UMCOR's International Disaster Response, #982450-8 will enable UMCOR to respond to this and other critical situations around the world.

    Recovery efforts continue in Turkey. UMCOR, through ACT, is helping construct temporary camps where people left homeless by the earthquake will live in winterized tents until permanent homes can be constructed. Please continue your generous gifts to Advance #675205-6, designated "Turkey Earthquake."

    UMCOR disaster response workers are part of an ecumenical team assisting people in Texas who were affected by flooding from Hurricane Bret. Damage assessments are being made, and United Methodists in the Southwest Texas Conference are coordinating volunteer efforts. Assessments are still being made from flooding in North Carolina and Virginia from Hurricane Dennis. Please give to Hurricanes '99, Advance #982460-1. We are currently in the most active period of the hurricane season.

    Please pray for those whose suffer from natural disasters, war, violence, hunger and poverty.

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