What Every Annual Conference Should Know About UMCOR's Response to Disaster in the United States

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) responds to disaster within the United States according to in the Book of Discipline. UMCOR exists as a resource through which our connectional church empowers local ministries to respond to disasters.

A disaster-impacted Annual Conference "owns" the way it responds to the disaster. UMCOR does not manage or perform the work of recovery. The following priorities define our United Methodist disaster response ministry:

• Assistance is given regardless of a person's color, economic status, or religious affiliation.
• Emergencies in marginalized and minority communities within a majority culture are given special consideration.

Our ministry to disaster survivors is multifaceted, with theological, physical, mental health, advocacy, and social service components. The goal of disaster response ministry is to strengthen and re-establish relationships between persons and God, persons and families, and persons and communities. Because of this wide focus, UMCOR supports Annual Conferences as they seek out and give priority to those persons who can often be overlooked in a disaster. To determine need and reach those who are at risk of falling through the cracks, UMCOR considers income levels and other "quality of life" factors such as infant mortality rates, life expectancy, and literacy rates.

UMCOR Can . . .

Provide pre-disaster training to annual conference and district disaster response committees.

This training, which is highly recommended, includes information on what to expect in disaster relief and recovery and how to organize a United Methodist response. Emphasis is placed on special long-term pastoral care needs of children, youth, and adults; recovery organization management; and management of volunteers and donated goods.

Provide cash grants.

Except in some special circumstances (see information about repair of church property), UMCOR funds are intended solely to assist human beings in need. (Note: UMCOR funds can be used for equipment purchases and organization and program costs to assist with meeting those needs.)

The conference disaster response unit, in consultation with UMCOR personnel, will determine the form that the emergency response efforts will take.

All UMCOR/conference efforts will be coordinated with those of other agencies to prevent duplication. Since we have responsibility to our donors, a clear accounting of funds is expected. UMCOR expects the annual conference to use its own emergency response resources before requesting financial grants from UMCOR. At the close of operations, an audit will be required and unused funds must be returned to UMCOR for redesignation to other disasters.

Requests for UMCOR funds come from the bishop, in consultation with the annual conference disaster response coordinator. Allocations of more than $10,000 must receive prior approval by the directors of UMCOR and are handled according to the UMCOR bylaws regarding such emergency approvals.

Provide consulting services.

At UMCOR's expense, volunteers can be sent who have special skills in:

• Disaster response management.
• Supportive caregiving to mitigate the long-term emotional and spiritual effects of disaster in children, youth, and adults.
• Case management supervision.
• Logistical support.
• Material resources.
• Distribution center management.
• Public relations and communications.
• Coordination and management of volunteers.
• Computer advice.
• Technical consultation on rebuilding.

Lend generators, power washers, and other necessary equipment.
These must be returned to UMCOR when no longer required.

Use its depots for receiving, processing, and shipping donated items from across the church sent in response to a disaster.

Assist with the formation of a community-based interfaith recovery agency.

Assist with recruiting, organizing, and managing Volunteers in Mission teams.

Provide the services of UMCOR mentors and advisors.

A few disasters are so large they are considered catastrophic and will overwhelm the resources of an Annual Conference. When the need for rapid response and the scope of a catastrophic disaster call for it, UMCOR can provide a team of specialists skilled in the varied aspects of disaster response management to work alongside conference counterparts until the conference can assume full responsibility for the recovery operation.

UMCOR Cannot . . .

• Come into a disaster site without an invitation from the bishop.
• Send funds without a request from the bishop.
• Administer or perform the work of a disaster recovery operation. This responsibility rests with the Annual Conference.
• Allow its funds to be used for repair of damaged church property-unless there is a churchwide appeal which clearly states that the money is to be used for property repair along with relief of human need.

The Book of Discipline says: "Repair and reconstruction of church property and other church-related property shall be included in the funding response of the United Methodist Committee on Relief only when such response has been included in the appeal made for funds or the Advance Special gifts for this purpose."

Direct requests for financial assistance with church property rebuilding needs that go beyond the ability of a local church, district, or conference to raise money to: