The UMCOR Hotline for August 28 , 2013

NEWS: FOOD RELIEF TO MYANMAR MONSOON SURVIVORS

Continuous monsoon rainfall has caused flash floods in many areas of Myanmar (Burma), affecting mainly the southeast region. According to the Myanmar Relief and Resettlement Department, 23,884 people have been displaced.

Serious concerns include food shortage, contamination of drinking water sources, destruction to shelters, and the severe impact on livelihood.

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is responding to this natural disaster with a grant to support partner Church World Service Asia/Pacific in providing food assistance to some 400 vulnerable families in Kayin State, which was most affected by the floods. The families will receive items such as rice, beans, and cooking oil.

You can help UMCOR respond when a disaster like this strikes communities unexpectedly. Give to International Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance # 982450

PRAYER: DISASTER SURVIVORS

Across the world, tens of thousands of people have been affected by devastating floods brought on by severe storms. Areas hardest hit include the Philippines, Afghanistan, Pakistan, northeastern China, eastern Russia, and Myanmar (Burma).

In the United States, communities also have been experiencing devastating flooding in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; San Antonio, Texas; Iowa City, Waterloo, and Coralville, Iowa; Paducah, Kentucky; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and Waynesville and West Alton, Missouri, to name just a few.

In the western United States, dozens of wildfires continue to rage across Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. The Beaver Creek Fire in Camas County, Oregon, has burned more than 100,000 acres, according to Church World Service, an UMCOR partner.

Please pray for strength and grace for those in the midst of fires and storms, as well as those aiding survivors. 

CAREERS: UM AGENCY OPENINGS

The General Board of Global Ministries and UMCOR have positions open across multiple units, sectors, and countries. Visit the Careers webpage to learn more.

RESOURCE: RELIEF SUPPLIES

Natural disasters seem to be ever-increasing in our world, as indicated in the Prayer section of this newsletter. The availability of relief-supply items, which provide for the most basic needs when there is no ready access, is more critical now than ever before.

Help UMCOR meet the growing demands of crisis-driven requests for material resources.

Visit the UMCOR Relief-Supplies web page to learn how you can support the vital work that brings hope and relief to those affected by natural or human-made disasters. Please give.

MEDIA: STRENGTHENING ZIMBABWE

In a new video, Daniel Tripp, UMCOR Zimbabwe head of mission, talks about the food shortages, climate issues, and health issues that have affected Zimbabwe and the opportunity for organizations to help the people of this country build and strengthen its infrastructure.

 

Any views expressed in this article are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.

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