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In Today's Hotline:Read how UMCOR is responding to needs around the world:
US: Red River Flood Recovery UMCOR: Buy Fair Trade Chocolate US: New Birthing Kits JFON: New GuardiansUMCOR's disaster response personnel are on the ground this week to assist the Minnesota Annual Conference and the Dakotas Annual Conference in flood recovery following last week's river crest that flooded several communities in Fargo and Moorhead. About 3,000 cleaning buckets have arrived to aid in clean-up.
Red River basin residents are monitoring sandbag dikes, as bad weather continues and a possible second crest threatens the levees.
Volunteers may contact, Lorna Jost, Volunteers in Mission coordinator for the North Central Jurisdiction, at 605-692-3390 or send an e-mail to umvim-ncj@brookings.net. While volunteers will not be deployed right away, it is anticipated that help will be needed for months to come. You can also help Red River residents by giving to Domestic Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance #901670.
UMCOR: BUY FAIR TRADE CHOCOLATE
UMCOR is encouraging United Methodists everywhere to stock up in advance on fair trade purchases, especially chocolate in preparation for Easter Sunday, April 12. Why not consider giving fair trade Easter baskets as gifts to family or friends? By doing so, you help small scale farmers increase their livelihood and help UMCOR meet its 100-Ton goal.
As of March 4, United Methodist congregations and individuals participating in UMCOR's 100-Ton Challenge bought nearly 70 tons of fairly traded products through the UMCOR's partner Equal Exchange. United Methodists purchased 115,506 pounds of coffee and 9,729 pounds of chocolate.
With every pound sold, small scale farmers in Latin America, Africa and Asia benefit. Buy your fair trade chocolate now at Equal Exchange Interfaith Store. You can also give to UMCOR SA&D Program, UMCOR Advance #982188.
In developing countries, an estimated 60 million women give birth with the help an untrained birth attendant or family member. Without the basic, sanitary tools for delivery, newborns can develop a Tetanus infection, the leading cause of infant mortality.
To reduce this risk, UMCOR's list of relief supplies now includes a birthing kit to aid attendants in conducting clean and safe deliveries. The birthing kit costs about $8 to assemble and contains basic yet essential items such as soap, latex gloves, plastic sheeting to receive the baby, string and a clean razor blade to cut and tie the umbilical cord, two receiving blankets and a zip lock bag.
Observe World Health Day (April 7) this week by supporting this new birthing kit initiative and promoting safe and healthy deliveries. Download the birthing kit instructions now or give to Material Resources, UMCOR Advance #901440 to purchase its contents.
*Sarita, a single mother, left her young son *David in Guatemala so that she could find work in the US to support him. After years of separation and limited communication, David, age 12, crossed the border into the US planning to reunite with his mother. He was apprehended and proceedings began to have him deported.
Because it was learned that his mother had passed away from a long-term illness, David was released into the custody of his biological aunt, *Naomi and her US Citizen husband, *Felipe.
With support from Justice For Our Neighbors Nebraska clinic, Felipe and Naomi were appointed legal guardianship over David. JFON is helping David obtain legal permanent residency and is requesting that removal proceedings be terminated. Support JFON's ministry and help hundreds of immigrants sort through the US legal maze by giving to JFON, UMCOR Advance #901285.
*not their real names
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. ]
