FROM THE FIELD
In Today's Hotline:
GAZA: PROVIDING MEDICINE AND FOOD
UMCOR is contributing to humanitarian efforts in the Gaza Strip through multiple partner agencies already at work in the region. The complex issues surrounding the situation in Gaza are compounded by limited access to the region. UMCOR is meeting regularly with partners, including Action by Churches Together (ACT), to overcome these obstacles to reach survivors with tangible assistance.
You can support these efforts to bring medicine, food and other aid to the Gaza Strip by giving to Middle East Emergency, UMCOR Advance #601740.
UMCOR is helping the Iowa Annual Conference recover from multiple storms that struck in May and June of 2008. Areas like New Hartford, Oakville and Cedar Rapids experienced extensive damage from levee breaks and severe flooding that destroyed or damaged more than 5,000 homes and businesses including many middle-to-lower income households.
UMCOR is working with the Iowa Conference to rebuild neighborhoods left vulnerable by the floods by providing case management, helping families relocate and coordinating ongoing local disaster response activities including volunteer management.
Support the long-term recovery work in the Midwest by giving to Domestic Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance #901670.
ARMENIA: PROTECTING SURVIVORS OF TRAFFICKING
In Armenia, conditions such as poor social and economic standing, unemployment, war and natural disasters contribute to wide spread human trafficking. The legislation to prevent trafficking or protect survivors is not being sufficiently enforced and is therefore compounding the issue. UMCOR is providing protection for survivors of trafficking by strengthening shelter operations in Armenia.
UMCOR is assisting survivors of trafficking and their families by facilitating services to those in need through a shelter in Armenia. UMCOR is providing assistance for shelter personnel, hotline operations, reintegration services and providing migrants with information and services provided through the toll-free hotline.
Since 2004, UMCOR has been working through its non-governmental organization (UMCOR NGO) to protect survivors of trafficking through awareness campaigns, information materials, seminars, shelters, hotlines and more. National Human Trafficking Awareness Day is Jan. 11. Observe this day by giving to Counter-Trafficking Outreach, Awareness & Alternatives, UMCOR Advance, #333615.
US: RAISING THE BAR FOR SOUPER BOWL GIVING
America's youth are working to make 2009 a record year for the Souper Bowl of Caring. They plan to reach a national goal of $11 million in cash and cans for hunger and poverty-related charities nationwide. Last year, over 14,000 youth organizations raised more than $10 million for charities across the country. Support this year's goal by raising the bar in giving through Souper Bowl of Caring in your congregation.
Equip your teens with large soup pots on Sundays leading up to Souper Bowl, Feb.1. Engage the youth to collect one-dollar donations or cans of food from church, nearby schools or retail outlets. Every penny raised is given to local charities as selected by each group. Then report your collections so a national total can be determined.
Download a Souper Bowl of Caring poster to encourage your congregation to join and register online at www.souperbowl.org. You can also give to World/Hunger Poverty, UMCOR Advance #982920.
RESOURCES: BRINGING HOPE TO ZIMBABWE-NEW REPORT TO DONORS
As the nation of Zimbabwe continues to endure the hardship of a cholera epidemic, hunger crisis and a failing economy, UMCOR is helping United Methodist hospitals stay in operation to ease the burdens of those most affected. Cholera kits will be sent to Nyadire and Mutambara Hospitals to treat 2,600 people. UMCOR will provide hospitals with salary support, food, medical supplies and fuel for generators and vehicles.
In December, UMCOR, though ZOE Ministry, a program of the North Carolina Annual Conference, delivered 100 metric tons of grain to 12 United Methodist districts in Zimbabwe--reaching more than 1,200 households and 11,000 primary school students.
Learn more about UMCOR's relief efforts in Zimbabwe. Download Bringing Hope to Zimbabwe, UMCOR's new Report to Donors. You can also support this effort by giving to Zimbabwe Emergency, UMCOR Advance #199456.
UMCOR provides emergency relief in many areas of the world. To find out more about UMCOR's ministries, please visit umcor.org. You can donate to any project by placing a contribution in the offering plate at a local United Methodist church; by sending a check to UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068; or by calling 1-800-554-8583, where credit card donations are accepted. You can also give online at givetomission.org. UMCOR is exempt from tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States and qualifies for the maximum charitable contribution deduction by donors.
United Methodist Committee on Relief
General Board of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church
Room 330, 475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10115
Voice Phone: 1-212-870-3816; FAX: 1-212-870-3624
Email: umcor@gbgm-umc.org
Web: http://www.umcor.org
UMCOR. Be There. Be Hope.
UMCOR's mission is to alleviate human suffering-whether caused by war, conflict, or natural disaster-with open minds and hearts to all people.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
Floods
Food and hunger
Working in Relief
Armenia
United States of America
Zimbabwe
