US Disaster Response News & Stories

This spring, UMCOR and its partners concluded their work in response to the 2017 hurricane’s destruction in Texas and built community in more ways than one.

UMCOR supports Western conferences responding to 2020 wildfires.

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.

UMCOR disaster response consultants Angela Overstreet and Christy Smith provide an update on the ongoing disaster response and recovery efforts in Tennessee.

In response to the current pandemic, UMCOR has launched virtual self-care trainings for U.S. disaster case managers.

United Methodists are long-time supporters of Children Disaster Services, a critical coordinating agency of the Church of the Brethren. With UMCOR grants and prayers and many volunteer hours, United Methodists help to care for the youngest family members when disasters strike.

Mellie Thomas, Disaster Recovery Project Manager of the Mississippi Annual Conference, talks about changes in disaster response due to the coronavirus.

More than 80,000 masks in sealed and unopened cartons purchased for future use are being distributed to first responders serving communities near UMCOR Sager Brown Depot.

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

Even though Hurricane Harvey hit Texas over two years ago, there is still much work to do. Long-term recovery efforts are going strong thanks to the disaster response team in the Rio Texas Conference. Staff like Austin, Vicki and Nikki continue to be a reliable and compassionate presence in Harvey’s aftermath. To be most effective, they see the importance of building and strengthening relationships. Whether it is relationships with partner agencies, churches, community members, or even among the staff themselves, the Rio Texas Conference has seen great impact and progress in recovery by working together and supporting one other.

The United Methodist Committee on Relief will enter its ninth decade led by Lara S. Martin who brings a strong background in international disaster response, public health and child welfare.

On the 10th anniversary of their death, Thomas Kemper remembers the life, ministry and mission of two Global Ministries staff members who died in the 2010 Haiti earthquake.