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In Today's Hotline: Read how UMCOR is responding to needs around the world.
PHILIPPINES: FLASH FLOODS
DR CONGO: SHOULDERING MALARIA BURDEN
PALESTINE: RELIEF SUPPLIES HELP
SOUTH SUDAN: EDUCATION FOR GIRLS
RESOURCES: HAITI SECOND ANNIVERSARY
UMCOR: LAST MINUTE GIVING
PHILIPPINES: FLASH FLOODS
Flash floods in southern Philippines have left more than 600 dead and at least 800 missing. The floodwaters swept through Cayagan De Oro and Iligan cities on Mindanao Island after Typhoon Sendong (also referred to as Typhoon Washi) drenched the island. In all, eight provinces were affected on the island.
The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is preparing a response through its Philippines office, based outside of Manilla. You can support UMCOR’s efforts by giving to Philippines Emergency, UMCOR Advance #240235.
DR CONGO: SHOULDERING MALARIA BURDEN
Dr. Guy Kasanka decided he would become a doctor when he was just a child. He was hospitalized for malaria near his hometown of Bukama in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
“Malaria is the first reason people come for a medical consultation in our country,” said Dr. Kasanka, whose roles now include surgeon, chair of the Joint Health Board of DRC, medical coordinator of North Katanga Episcopal area, and missionary for the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church.
He witnessed malaria’s deadly sting over and over again, as many in his own family and community suffered from it. His hospital experience became a profound opportunity to answer the call of God in his life to become a doctor and fight against the diseases of poverty that plagued his community. Read more about Dr. Kasanka and his work in DRC.
Read Dr. Guy Kasanka’s full bio here and support his missionary work directly by giving to Advance #15163Z. You can also support the fight against malaria through The United Methodist Church’s Imagine No Malaria, UMCOR Advance #3021190.
PALESTINE: RELIEF SUPPLIES HELP
UMCOR is working with the American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA) to provide for some of the poorest communities in the West Bank. Continued conflict in the region has left a growing number of Palestinian families vulnerable and without basic necessities. To alleviate their suffering, UMCOR is sending a 40-foot container of nearly 25,000 health kits along with birthing and layette kits to be distributed through ANERA’s connections there.
The Palestine Medical Relief Society, Al-Ahli Hospital, Holy Family Hospital, Shepherd Field Hospital, Itihad Hospital, and Palestine Red Crescent Hospital in Hebron will help distribute the kits to some of the most vulnerable families.
You can participate in this ministry of caring by sending relief supplies or giving towards the cost of shipping them by giving to Contain Your Joy, UMCOR Advance #982730.
SOUTH SUDAN: EDUCATION FOR GIRLS
Girls are often missing from school in South Sudan, particularly in the upper elementary grades on up through high school. Families need them to stay home to care for younger children, gather water, and other household tasks. Also, if there are only enough funds to send some children to school, families often choose to send their sons.
UMCOR is working to give more girls opportunities to go to primary school in South Aweil County, South Sudan, by constructing more schools to increase access and encouraging families to allow their daughters to attend.
Support UMCOR’s work in Sudan and the new nation of South Sudan by giving to Sudan Emergency, UMCOR Advance #184385 .
RESOURCES: REMEMBERING HAITI
As we prepare to mark two years since a 7.0 magnitude earthquake devastated the nation of Haiti on January 12, 2010, United Methodists and friends everywhere are encouraged to show their solidarity with the people of Haiti by participating in events that commemorate the lives of those impacted by this terrible disaster.
We encourage churches to hold a Remember Haiti Sunday to raise awareness about ongoing needs in the wake of this disaster. Use this bulletin insert (for a black and white version, click here) to help prepare for Remember Haiti Sunday. Also, please give to support UMCOR’s ongoing work there. Your gifts to Haiti Emergency, UMCOR Advance #418325 help Haiti rebuild.
UMCOR: LAST MINUTE GIVING
The UMCOR Gift Catalog is the perfect place to finish up your Christmas shopping with any last-minute gifts. These gifts will keep on giving long after your Christmas decorations are packed away. Through the UMCOR Gift Catalog, you can help families put food on the table, gain access to water, and rebuild their lives after a crisis. Give the gift of hope this Christmas through the UMCOR Gift Catalog.
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 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.
