FROM THE FIELD
In Today's Hotline: Read how UMCOR is responding to needs around the world:
SRI LANKA: EMERGENCY RELIEF FOR THE DISPLACED US: SIX GRADERS RAISE FUNDS FOR HAITI MYANMAR: LONG-TERM RECOVERY SUPPORT LIBERIA: RESTORING A WAR-TORN COMMUNITY RESOURCES: WORLD FAIR TRADE DAY--NEW CHURCH BULLETIN INSERTSRI LANKA: EMERGENCY RELIEF FOR THE DISPLACED
UMCOR's Sri Lanka office is working on the ground with other humanitarian aid organizations to provide emergency assistance to thousands who are being forced to flee from intense fighting in the northern region of Sri Lanka.
Thanks to an umbrella grant from the US Agency of International Development's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA), UMCOR is reaching the most vulnerable to provide 60,000 emergency kits that include water, glucose, and biscuits as well as help build 4,400 emergency shelters and 800 duplex-toilets for displaced people fleeing to Vavuniya.
In addition, UMCOR, working with the Ministry of Health and USAID/OFDA, provided World Health Organization standard emergency health kits and basic medical supplies to provide treatment to 50,000 hospitalized people in Vavuniya, Mannar and Padwiya where hospital resources are particularly strained.
Support this effort to help displaced people in Sri Lanka by giving to Sri Lanka Relief and Development, UMCOR Advance # 3020630.
US: SIX GRADERS RAISE FUNDS FOR HAITI
On March 10, Christina Rockwell, a graduate of Sparta Middle School in Michigan, gave a presentation to sixth grade students about the growing problems in Haiti. After learning about Haiti's lack of access to clean water and growing hunger and poverty, the students came up with creative ways to help Haiti and support UMCOR's Haiti Hot Lunch Program.
Some students donated baby sitting or other job money and found people to match their donations. Others set up soda can drives, put out donation jars at their parent's place of work, and one especially creative effort involved a bubble gum competition.
Their dedication raised $3,906.50 for Haiti. Of the money raised, $2,005 was designated to the UMCOR Haiti Hot Lunch Program. The balance of funds supported Pure Water for the World. Way to go Sparta!
You can support the Haiti Hot Lunch Program, UMCOR Advance #418790 with your gifts.
MYANMAR: LONG-TERM RECOVERY SUPPORT
When Cyclone Nargis struck the Irrawady Delta in southern Myanmar (Burma) on May 2, 2008, it left more than 150,000 people dead or missing. UMCOR, with United Methodist support assisted The Methodist Church in lower Myanmar to provide food, counseling, shelter and supplies to help those most in need.
Because long-term recovery continues today for the people of Myanmar, The Methodist Church created a new organization called the Methodist Committee on Relief that will provide continued relief and recovery assistance for underserved communities.
"We want to continue to provide our sisters and brothers in Myanmar with the support they need to continue the important and difficult work of recovery," said the Rev. Sam Dixon, UMCOR's top executive.
You can support Methodist Church in lower Myanmar by helping them to bring health care to rural communities by giving to Mother and Child Survival, UMCOR Advance #982645.
LIBERIA: RESTORING A WAR-TORN COMMUNITY
Lofa County in Liberia was among the hardest hit regions during Liberia's civil war. Most of the residents of Lofa lost their villages and towns and thousands of people were uprooted from their homes.
UMCOR is helping the Liberia Annual Conference build new housing units and construct water and sanitation facilities that include the installation of water pumps, latrines, bathing facilities and wells for families displaced by the war. UMCOR's cash-for-work programs are increasing the livelihoods of those assisting in construction. Head of households, single women and elderly people are being considered first for these new units.
You can support this work in Liberia by giving to Liberia Emergency, UMCOR Advance #150300. An additional benefit to processing is that it makes it easier for vulnerable groups such as weaning toddlers, the elderly and people living with HIV/AIDS to consume more nutritious foods. To support this work, please give to DRC Emergency, UMCOR Advance # 198400.
RESOURCES: WORLD FAIR TRADE DAY--NEW CHURCH BULLETIN INSERT
On April 5, Beach Lake United Methodist Church in Pennsylvania celebrated Palm Sunday, incorporating a creative message about fair trade. The Rev. Mark Terwilliger, pastor of Beach Lake UMC used the day as an opportunity to inform the congregation about fair trade issues, Eco-Palms and child slave labor in cocoa producing farms in Africa.
The response was one of action as congregants were moved to purchase fair trade products and reflect on their own consumer choices.
World Fair Trade Day is May 9. Help meet UMCOR's 100-Ton Challenge goal by making your fair trade purchases today.
Learn more by downloading UMCOR's new World Fair Trade Day church bulletin, or present UMCOR's World Fair Trade Day Power Point Slide to your congregation. Collect a special offering to benefit the livelihood of small-scale farmers in observance of this special day. You can also give to UMCOR-SA&D Program, UMCOR Advance #982188.
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. ]
Food and hunger
Health
Refugees & displacement
Liberia
Myanmar (formerly Burma)
Sri Lanka
United States of America
