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This past year has seen an overwhelming number of major disasters. These came on top of the catastrophic hurricanes and flooding of 1998 that UMCOR has continued to respond to. Throughout the year UMCOR has responded to many disasters, emergencies and critical situations. These relief efforts include: food assistance over the winter for native people in Siberia; humanitarian relief for people suffering from civil conflict in Angola and the brutal civil war in Sierra Leone; response to the January tornadoes in Arkansas and Tennessee and the earthquake in Colombia.
In the first quarter UMCOR also responded to the economic crisis in Nigeria, civil conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, those displaced by the war between Eritrea and Ethiopia, flood survivors in Mozambique and recovery efforts in Liberia. UMCOR began responding to the Kosovo crisis in February and today is one of five implementing partners in the ACT (Action by Churches Together) recovery work.
In April, UMCOR responded to the earthquake in India; the school shooting in Colorado; tornadoes and flooding in Louisiana, Georgia and Missouri, and continued to provide food assistance to the people of North Korea. The catastrophic May tornadoes in Oklahoma and Kansas called for a major response. Over the summer, UMCOR provided assistance following the earthquake in Mexico; the tornado in South Dakota; drought and other emergencies in the Philippines; flooding in Wisconsin and Iowa; and the devastating earthquake in Turkey.
The fall months brought the crisis in East Timor; unprecedented flooding in North Carolina and many parts of the East Coast following Hurricane Floyd; the Taiwan earthquake; and flooding and landslides in Mexico. The year has closed with flooding and landslides in Venezuela and severe storms in Europe. UMCOR is able to respond to these and many other emergencies through the generosity of United Methodists and other concerned people who reach out in compassion to assist those who suffer. Thank you for your gifts and your continued support of UMCOR's ministry.
Gifts may be made through local United Methodist Churches, or by calling (800) 554-8583. Credit card donations are accepted at that number.
Have a joyous New Year, and please pray for all who suffer from natural and human-made
disasters, hunger, and poverty.
Hotline Phone:
1-800-841-1235
Web: http://gbgm-umc.org/UMCOR-Hotline/
