There is a unique role for faith-based disaster recovery agencies such as UMCOR within the United States' disaster response network. Because the church is in the community before the disaster, and will still be there long after the disaster, the faith-based recovery is oriented to long-term, people-centered disaster response. Rescue efforts are carried out by government and certain major aid agencies such as local chapters of the American Red Cross and Salvation Army. In a community's pre-disaster planning, it has assigned roles such as emergency shelter, food, clothing, and strategies for rescue from damaged buildings, flood waters, etc. In some communities, a United Methodist congregation might be a part of that disaster preparedness team and carry some of the responsibility in the first hours, such as opening a social hall for meals and shelter or providing child care. That is a choice made locally by each congregation in cooperation with its city before the disaster occurs. If a United Methodist congregation is so involved, UMCOR can be immediately supportive with funds at the request of the area bishop.
UMCOR helps the annual conference to provide long-term recovery that involves case management, a process of one-on-one problem solving. The goal of case management is to help the client connect with the aid that is available from other sources and to pick up the "unmet needs" that others won't or don't address. Every aid agency has its rules or parameters for giving aid, and the system requires that someone be on the look out for those who fall through the cracks. The faith-based organizations are designed to do exactly that, through referrals from churches and a long history of Christian compassion. UMCOR provides long-term recovery through case management in cooperation with the local United Methodist and other churches. The management is done locally, and the training and funding comes from UMCOR through the donations of all United Methodists.
Almost every disaster is accompanied by complaints of slow response. In a culture of instant communication and solving problems with money, it can be forgotten that a disaster is a disaster exactly because the "usual" is no longer effective. We cannot buy the comfort people need in those early days of loss. We cannot replace what has been lost. In the pain of disaster, anger is often misdirected at those who provide what help there is. The help they bring cannot restore life to the pre-disaster state, so it is always experienced at the beginning as too little and too slow.
With 62 years of experience in disaster work, UMCOR has learned that the long-term recovery it provides through the Annual Conferences produces a high level of satisfaction from clients and respect from other agencies. We are often the last aid agency in place, staying 5 years in the Dakota floods, 5 years in the Midwest floods and we are currently into year 3 in the North Carolina floods. We have learned that the most obvious victims are cared for and the most vulnerable often are not. Our efforts and our aid go to those without insurance, without English, without documentation, without good health, without trust in the system. The grants from FEMA and the American Red Cross require that the beneficiary subtract any other funds that they have received. 
If UMCOR gave immediate aid to people who were eligible for other sources of funds, then we would be paying for what other organizations are obligated by the disaster network and the law to provide, and we would lose our ability to remain and fund long-term disaster recovery through case management.
To work in disaster recovery requires a long vision, an ability to be in solidarity with those in pain, and a willingness to walk the long walk of healing and rebuilding. UMCOR strives to do this on behalf of all United Methodists and appreciates the support of its donors who share its goals.
Photo Credit: copyright © Diana Barnett, September 2001, Used by permission. The picture(s) on this page was taken in Manhattan within a week after the collapse of the World Trade Center. Click on the photo to see a larger version.
