UMCOR. In Disaster Response, Multiplying Hope in Ways That Might Surprise You.
The boy climbed into the case manager's lap. Three years old, he lives with his parents in a home where a spring tornado blew out the windows, tore off the roof, and caved in some of the ceilings.
The child said, "My house got broken."
The United Methodist case manager reassured him, "We're going to see if we can get your house fixed."
UMCOR volunteers are known all over the globe for their compassion, leadership, expertise and guidance in recovery efforts. They uphold the universal mandate in such efforts: "Do no harm."
To achieve this, they work in partnership with affected communities--whether in the US or internationally--combining their knowledge with affected people's know-how, needs, and vulnerabilities. It's a long-term proposition, because unmet needs usually do not surface until several months after the initial disaster. Compassionate and skillful response really requires building relationships with community members before disaster strikes.
When Disaster Strikes
Here are the ways UMCOR becomes the heart and hands of United Methodists everywhere--to "fix broken houses"--when disaster strikes.
- Pre-disaster Training. How to organize a United Methodist response. Special emphasis on long-term pastoral care needs of children, youth and adults; case management; what to expect. Available for United Methodists in the United States.
- Cash Grants. Anywhere in the world, at the request of the United Methodist bishop in the affected area, UMCOR funds can help the most vulnerable people affected by a disaster. UMCOR partners with faith-based groups to assess and determine response efforts.
- Material Resources. More than 2,700 volunteers at UMCOR Sager Brown assemble supplies (school kits, health kits, flood clean-up materials) for shipment to disaster sites around the globe.
- Consulting Services. UMCOR's goal is to deliver relief and rehabilitation for the whole person--physical, social, and psychological--in a distress situation. Consultants are available at no cost to beneficiaries to provide pastoral care and counseling, logistical support, distribution center management, and communications and media relations.
- Logistics. Generators, power washers, and other necessary equipment is available for loan to US sites. Also UMCOR can help form community-based recovery agencies to manage long-term response.
Get Involved!
Give money. Generous gifts to UMCOR Advance #982450, International Disaster Response, and #901670, Domestic Disaster Response, assure UMCOR's readiness. Gifts to UMCOR Advance #901440, Material Resource Ministry, support another important aspect of disaster recovery.
Volunteer. For information on annual disaster training academies, call 800-918-3100. For information on volunteering at UMCOR Sager Brown, call 800-814-8765. To volunteer at a specific disaster site, or for international opportunities, call the UMCOR Volunteer Hotline, 800-918-3100.
Give supplies. Actual goods are always welcome. For news on most-needed items, specifications, and shipping instructions visit online at
http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/print/kits/ .
How to Give
By Offering: For local church and Annual Conference credit, put your gift in the offering plate on Sunday.
By Check: Make your check to UMCOR and send to UMCOR, 475 Riverside Dr., Room 330, New York, NY 10115.
By Credit Card: Call toll-free (800) 554-8583.
| The United Methodist Committee on Relief delivers hope and enhances human dignity through food, shelter, health and peace projects. | UMCOR 475 Riverside Drive Room 330 New York, NY 10115 umcor.org |
*This document is available in printable bulletin insert format*