Stories

Because of the continuing political crisis, more than 4.6 million Venezuelans, or 16% of the country’s population, have migrated to other countries in South America. UMCOR partners with Methodist churches in Colombia, Peru and Brazil to offer welcome and needed services.

Bishop Hector Ortiz shares his appreciation of UMCOR and its continued support for the people of Puerto Rico after the island was hit by two devastating hurricanes in 2017.

With more than 950 earthquakes and aftershocks recorded and more than 800 homes damaged since December 2019, the Methodist Church of Puerto Rico (MPCR) and its social holiness agency, Rebuilding Communities With Hope (REHACE), have made it a priority to bring a message of hope to people throughout the island in 2020.

UMCOR partners with Muslim Aid/UK in Bangladesh to strengthen the resiliency of communities that face annual flooding.

Lara Martin, executive director of the United Methodist Committee on Relief, shares her excitement to lead UMCOR’s work of alleviating suffering around the world.

Alleviating human suffering through food, water, loans, crops, worship, prayer, kindness, rest.

In Nigeria, United Methodist health facilities in rural areas have been working to improve their outreach into the communities they serve, building a strong, integrated health system that families and individuals can trust.

The United Methodist Health Board in Zambia joined local partners in Kitwe to organize and commemorate World AIDS Day 2019, “Communities making a difference, pressing toward ending AIDS.” The public celebration encouraged the public to get tested, know their status, and fight the stigma associated with HIV and AIDS.

Charles Sharper and Kayla Toliver share about the Healthy Youth USA Foundation, promoting youth development through after school programming, sports, recreation and other activities. Through the provision of a $99,616.00 grant, the Global Health Unit was able to provide scholarships for 38-50 children and cover administrative costs for additional staff.

A new study on water access in the U.S., produced by DigDeep and the U.S. Water Alliance and supported by UMCOR and other partners, reveals that 2 million people in the United States lack access to indoor plumbing, safe drinking water and adequate wastewater sanitation.

Watch as school supplies are distributed to Mark Twain Elementary School in Oklahoma.

Through UMCOR funding, the Agricultural Development Association (PARC) in Palestine has implemented a project to enhance the food security of olive farmers in Eastern Gaza.