FROM THE FIELD
In Today's Hotline: Read how UMCOR is responding to needs around the world:
US: CLEAN UP EFFORTS IN WESTERN NY PHILIPPINES: RESPONDING TO NEEDS FOLLOWING TYPHOON INDONESIA: SCHOOL RECEIVES NEW WATER AND SANITATION FACILITY SRI LANKA: IDP CAMP PREPARES FOR MONSOON SEASON US: YELLOWSTONE CONFERENCE CONTRIBUTES TO UMCOR WESTUS: CLEAN UP EFFORTS IN WESTERN NY
UMCOR is supporting Erie, Chautuqua and Cattaraugus Counties in the Western New York Annual Conference as they recover from extensive flood damage. The area of Silver Creek, Gowanda and Springville were particularly affected by flooding that occurred August 8-11.
In addition to a $10,000 emergency grant, UMCOR, in partnership with Central Penn. Conference's Mission Central, is sending 1,800 cleaning buckets to help with the clean up efforts. They are also sending 672 health kits and 336 school kits.
You can support recovery in western NY and other flood affected areas by making a contribution to US Domestic Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance #901670.
PHILIPPINES: RESPONDING TO NEEDS FOLLOWING TYPHOON
UMCOR Philippines is at work in Botolan after two typhoons hit the area. According to Ciony Eduarte who manages UMCOR's office in the Philippines, people have been relocated to safer areas as flash flooding resulting from a damaged dam and overfilled rice fields continue to create hazardous conditions.
UMCOR is assisting with emergency response, distributing food in the affected areas in coordination with the district superintendent and KKFI,. They are working together to develop a plan for a longer term response as the needs are assessed.
Your gift to UMCOR Philippines will help those affected by the most recent typhoons. Please give to Philippines Emergency, UMCOR Advance #240235.
INDONESIA: SCHOOL RECEIVES NEW WATER AND SANITATION FACILITY
As part of the Reconstruction and Development for Aceh and Nias project, addressing post tsunami needs, UMCOR Indonesia built a new water and sanitation facility for the students and staff of SD14 Bireuen School. The facility was presented to the school on August 6.
Select students, called "hygiene heroes," have received leadership training to ensure good health and hygiene procedures are taken at school. The measures include hand washing, proper care for food and using the toilet rather than the outside. Before receiving the school toilets, students would need to return to their homes to use the bathroom.
UMCOR Indonesia worked in close cooperation with UNICEF and the Bireuen district government to construct the facilities and provide hygiene education.
UMCOR Indonesia continues to help those affected by the 2005 tsunami and the 30 year conflict preceding it. To support these projects, please give generously to Indonesia Emergency, UMCOR Advance #217400.
SRI LANKA: IDP CAMP PREPARES FOR MONSOON SEASON
Concern is escalating after an early monsoon rain on August 14 left thousands of people at an Internally Displaced Person (IDP) camp in Vavuniya without proper shelter or hygiene facilities. With the monsoon season beginning in September, UMCOR Sri Lanka is preparing for worsening conditions, including waterborne diseases.
UMCOR and other humanitarian agencies are communicating with the government that they stand ready to assist with an accelerated resettlement program and helping people find host families during monsoon season.
To help UMCOR Sri Lanka continue its work supporting people affected by the conflict and the 2004 tsunami, please give to Sri Lanka Relief and Development, UMCOR Advance #3020630.
US: YELLOWSTONE CONFERENCE CONTRIBUTES TO UMCOR WEST
The Yellowstone Conference collected thousands of health kit contents at their annual conference in June. They received nearly 400 cubic feet of supplies and the youth mission team from Bozeman, Montana personally delivered them to UMCOR West in Salt Lake City, Utah. They helped assemble kits at UMCOR West and painted the warehouse. Says Sally McConnell who coordinated the mission, "By collecting the supplies and working at the depot we made a difference and were sharing the love of Christ with persons in need whom we will never meet."
Donating kit supplies or financial gifts to purchase the supplies, makes a direct and tangible difference in sustaining people's lives. The types of kits UMCOR West is collecting include: health, sewing, school, layette, bedding and cleaning buckets in addition to the new birthing kit. Detailed information about assembling kits can be found here. You can give toward the purchase of supplies instead of buying and shipping them. Please consider giving to Material Resource Ministry, UMCOR Advance #901440.
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. ]
