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UMCOR Responds to South Asia Earthquake

October 10, 2005, NEW YORK— The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is responding to the most powerful earthquake to strike South Asia in a century. At least 20,000 people are assumed dead and twice as many are injured. Up to 4 million could be homeless in the mountainous region of Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan, just as the cold winter months approach.

Initial Response Through Partners

UMCOR is supporting the International Blue Crescent (IBC) and Action by Churches Together partner Church World Service (CWS). Both organizations are already on the ground, providing immediate relief and making long-term recovery plans.

UMCOR is sending an initial grant to support the immediate relief efforts and plans to continue to support the organization in their response. IBC is sending a Turkish rescue team to the hard-hit town of Muzaffarabad, Pakistan, to assist in the efforts there. Additionally, IBC is working to meet survivor needs by distributing some 50,000 blankets purchased from local markets and proving food to 3,000 people in Muzaffarabad. UMCOR worked with IBC in response to several disasters, including the Bam, Iran, earthquake in 2003 and the South Asia Tsunami in 2004.

CWS is also on the ground in Pakistan providing food items and other utilities to 1,600 families in Azad Kashmir and North West Frontier Province. The packages include flour, rice, sugar, beans, cooking oil, tea, salt, matches, and soap. Medical camps are being set up in affected areas that are equipped to serve populations of 50,000 to 100,000 people. CWS is also making plans to assist some 15,000 families with food items, shelter kits, and house reconstruction kits.

UMCOR Workers are Safe

Tremors in Afghanistan did not affect UMCOR’s staff in Kabul, reported an email from Guy Hovey, regional director for Europe and Asia.

How You Can Help

Cash gifts will help UMCOR continue to support the immediate relief and long-term recovery of those affected by this earthquake. Checks can be mailed to UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087. Write “UMCOR Advance #232000, Pakistan Earthquake” on the memo line of your check. One hundred percent of every donation to any appeal, including appeals for the Pakistan Earthquake, goes to support recovery efforts in the disaster-stricken regions.

An old Kashmiri man walks in front of a damaged house after an earthquake in Salamabad

A Kashmiri man walks in front of a damaged house after Saturday's earthquake. Credits: REUTERS/ Desmand Boylan. Courtesy of www.alertnet.org

How You Can Help

Give:

Your generous gift to UMCOR Advance #232000, Pakistan Earthquake, will help those affected by this earthquake.

You can give at your church, over the phone at 1-800-554-8583, or by mailing a check directly to: UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068.

Checks should be written to UMCOR with the Advance number and name written on the memo line of your check. If you would prefer that your funds to go to recovery in a specific region, please note that on your donation.

 

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