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International Disaster Response

Explore how your gifts and our global partnerships connect local churches and communities in mission to alleviate human suffering around the world.

As violence surges and health and safety nets deteriorate across Haiti, UMCOR grants concentrate on those most at risk.

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After six years of civil war with no end in sight, thousands of Yemeni families are caught in what the United Nations describes as the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today.
An overview of the major decisions on funding and new directions in mission programming from Global Ministries’ Board of Directors Meeting, held virtually, March 24-26
General Secretary Roland Fernandes encourages prayer for people of Mozambique after armed conflict and natural disaster produce mass displacement.
With faith, hope, prayer and dedicated partners, the UMC in the Central African Republic has built a new temple, and that’s just the beginning.
With the help of three grants from UMCOR, the people of Beirut, Lebanon, are attempting to rebuild their lives and livelihoods after the port blast that destroyed much of their city.
For more than 40 years, Global Ministries and UMCOR have supported health and development work through a partner agency. One project focuses on children with mental challenges as Afghanistan lacks services and awareness for mental health.
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.
UMCOR assisted several Methodist-related partners in the relief phase of the Dorian Hurricane response in the Bahamas. This year, UMCOR continues to support those partners working on shelter and case management, and a new partner moves forward to help the islands provide fresh water for 70,000 people.
The Global Health and UMCOR response to the coronavirus pandemic continues: an ongoing, flexible plan is being developed for United Methodist church leaders, local health professionals and disaster management offices to strengthen the capacity of communities to respond with effective public health methods. The Philippines and DRC are the first partners in the prevention response.

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Have questions? Send us an inquiry and we’ll get back to you promptly. Please direct all media inquiries to Susan Clark, chief communications officer for Global Ministries and UMCOR.

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Susan Clark, Chief Communications Officer
media@umcmission.org
800-862-4246

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Six Years, No Solution: A 500-Gallon Tank Carries Hope to West Virginia’s Forgotten

McDowell County is one of the poorest in the U.S., and the communities of Anawalt, Leckie and Gary are some of the hardest hit by the current six-year water crisis. All have Methodist churches that are part of the Welch Charge.

To ease the burden of residents who have to purchase many gallons of drinking water weekly, the Welch Charge contacted the West Virginia Conference Disaster Response Coordinator, Jim McCune, for help. McCune’s United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) connection put him in touch with Global Ministries’ Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) program. 

A WASH grant allowed them to obtain a 500-gallon “water buffalo.” The conference disaster response team arranged to fill the portable water buffalo from the Welch water system, the county seat of McDowell, and transport it to Gary, where residents have been supplied with refillable containers. Residents of all three towns can come to get water, and volunteers will also continue deliveries for those who need it. Meanwhile, residents, including church members, continue to advocate state and local officials for a permanent solution to their aging, compromised water infrastructure. Full Story