UMCOR has been in communication with the bishop of the Methodist Church in Taiwan following the earthquake and will be sending an assessment team to Taiwan in the next few days. Financial gifts may be made to UMCOR Advance #201325-3, designated "Taiwan Earthquake."

   Five annual conferences are actively responding to flooding caused by Hurricane Floyd. The flooding in North Carolina is the worst in that state's history, and one of the worst in the nation. Thirty to fifty thousand homes are affected, more than 10,000 people are still living in shelters, and millions of livestock, pets, and wildlife have been killed. The North Carolina conference is well-organized for response which cannot fully begin until the waters recede. There is also major flooding in southeastern Virginia where the town of Franklin is completely underwater and so contaminated that no one can enter the area.

   United Methodists in the New Jersey conferences are organizing for long-term recovery assistance from severe flooding in the central part of that state. UMCOR is assisting the affected conferences with financial grants, support from staff and members of the Catastrophic Disaster Response Team, and material resources. Please give generously to Hurricanes '99, Advance #982460-1. Recovery from these floods will require significant financial resources over a long period of time.

   An UMCOR staff member is en route to Turkey to meet with churches and relief agencies to determine the most effective way for UMCOR to be involved in long-term recovery work. Gifts may be made to UMCOR Advance #675205-6, designated "Turkey Earthquake."

   Gifts may be made through local United Methodist Churches, or by calling (800) 554-8583. Credit card donations are accepted at that number. Volunteers may call (800) 918-3100.

    Please pray for all who have suffered from these natural disasters in so many parts of the world.

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