UMCOR News & Stories

Prisoners facing crisis during COVID-19
Advocates for the early release of some prisoners say COVID-19 has exposed the broken and unjust prison systems where 2.2 million people — disproportionally people of color — live in overcrowded cells without proper protection and testing for the disease.
Sifting through the ashes
UMCOR supports Western conferences responding to 2020 wildfires.
Strength upon strength; Michigan United Methodists pour hope on troubled waters
For communities devastated by May flooding, the road to resilience is paved with support coming from federal, state and local sources – and from United Methodists.
Partners work together for asylum seekers
Asylum seekers in New York, Miami and Houston find a new avenue of hope through an UMCOR, Justice For Our Neighbors and Church World Service partnership. The UMCOR Asylum Project seeks to provide legal representation and case management for those with compelling reasons not to return to their home countries.
Leaving communities more resilient
UMCOR disaster response consultants Angela Overstreet and Christy Smith provide an update on the ongoing disaster response and recovery efforts in Tennessee.
UMCOR supports formerly incarcerated as they reenter communities
For five years, the Southern Center for Human Rights in Atlanta has been working to win the release of Black men and women serving decades-long prison sentences for minor offences. This year, an UMCOR grant provided the means for SCHR to establish a reentry program to help released clients navigate the barriers they need to cross in order to thrive.
In trying times, churches extend their reach
UMCOR has awarded $1.56 million to help vulnerable communities cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. These grants enable churches to respond to issues of food insecurity, sanitation and hygiene, and other financial needs.
In the Philippines, planning for disaster creates resilient communities
With guidance from UMCOR’s Disaster Management Coordinator (DMC) program, communities in the Davao, Manila and Baguio Episcopal Areas are better prepared and equipped to weather prolonged disasters.
Food relief helps in Liberia’s COVID-19 fight
The United Methodist Committee on Relief and other global United Methodists are intervening in the church’s COVID-19 fight in Liberia.
Shelter for unaccompanied youth in Bosnia-Herzegovina
UMCOR partners with Church World Service in Una Sana Canton, Bosnia-Herzegovina, to offer a caring presence, dignified shelter and protection to migrating teens.
Coming together for health in Zimbabwe
An interview with Hannah S. Mafunda, Health Coordinator, Zimbabwe Episcopal Area Health Board
In service to our communities
Churches use UMCOR Sheltering in Love grants to supply food to immigrant communities across the United States.