UMCOR Hotline
October 17, 2006
1-800-841-1235
http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/newsroom/hotline/
In Today's Hotline
--US: Snow, Quake Spur Response
--Cameroon: Grain Banks Stall Hunger
--Azerbaijan: Celebrating A Decade Of Hope
--New: Report Spotlights Hurricane Recovery
US: SNOW, QUAKE SPUR RESPONSE
At the extreme ends of the USÂHawaii and New YorkÂUMCOR is responding to two events. Initial assessments in Hawaii show little structural damage, in spite of landslides from the earthquake that "jolted people out of bed" early Sunday morning. Estimated at a 6.6 magnitude, the quake damaged roads. More assessments were occurring today. In New York state, UMCOR is sending an emergency grant to provide assistance to the elderly and infirm affected by a surprise snowstorm Friday that left upstate New York reeling under as much as two feet of snow. Some 300,000 homes may be without electric service until Oct. 22 or 23. Your prayers for sisters and brothers in the islands and in New York, along with your gifts to UMCOR Advance #901670, Domestic Disaster Response, will help in a meaningful way.
CAMEROON: GRAIN BANKS STALL HUNGER
Eighteen communities in northern Cameroon are fighting hunger through grain banks, some operated by women, funded through grants from UMCOR. A local partner, RELUFA--a French acronym meaning "against hunger"--has assisted people in the communities with planting, cultivating and selling their grains. The grain banks help prevent unscrupulous traders from taking advantage of price fluctuations. Such community empowerment is one of UMCOR's values. During this week of World Food Day observance, please pray for sisters and brothers in Cameroon and other places suffering from hunger, and support the empowering program of grain banks through your gifts to All Africa Famine, UMCOR Advance #101250.
AZERBAIJAN: CELEBRATING A DECADE OF HOPE
When UMCOR opened programs in Azerbaijan in 1996, hundreds of thousands of Azeris had been displaced and relocated into public buildings ill equipped to be long-term residences for large numbers of people. Many are still in these "temporary" quarters--or institutionalized because of poor health or disabilities. UMCOR Azerbaijan this year is celebrating a decade of hope for people in this former Soviet republic. Health education, medicines, psychological support and renovation of residential buildings are among the emphases. The programs have a potential for reaching a million people. Posters commemorating UMCOR's 10 years are available free to you [download now]. Your gifts will strengthen this ongoing ministry of hope to vulnerable Azeris. Please give to UMCOR Advance #250135, Azerbaijan Emergency.
NEW: REPORT SPOTLIGHTS HURRICANE RECOVERY
More than a year after Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita caused severe damage throughout the Gulf Coast, UMCOR's long-term recovery work is in full swing. UMCOR staff and consultants have been working with the five annual conferences directly affected by these storms to establish effective a far-reaching disaster response ministries. A new report to donors gives the latest information about these efforts that will continue for years to come. Read "Hurricane Recovery: Hospitality and Help" on our web site. Download it for sharing in your congregtion or community. UMCOR thanks all United Methodists for your generous response to these outsize storms.
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 by clicking on any of the "Give Now" links. 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.
And, please pray for those who are hungry, displaced, sick or in poverty because of these and other natural and human-made disasters, and for the workers who minister to them.
BE SURE TO RECEIVE OUR HOTLINE EMAILS. MAKE UMCOR YOUR BUDDY! Some Internet Service Providers like AOL, Yahoo!, Hotmail, and Juno use email filtering software that allows you to add email addresses to a "buddy," "trusted," "safe," or approved list. Please add umcor@gbgm-umc.org to your list so that our messages don't end up in "junk mail" or the "trash."
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://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/