i heard a report about scams associated with fund-raising for relief efforts for those affected by the tsunami. i wrote this email in response. i cite the article below as proof.
In light of mom and dad's email about tsunami fraud. i'd like to make sure you know of something that is not a fraud and aiding the victims of last months catastrophe. the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR to us methodist anacronym fanatics) is making great strides in aiding the victims. they have actually been noted throughout the news as being a leader in providing aid (and we know how supportive the media is of the church, so that's big). to add, 100% of you donation goes to aid in southeast Asia, where if you were to donate to Red Cross parts of donations go to their administrative needs. One of the great things about UMCOR is their long term commitment to relief. If you consider donating, go to http://www.umcor.org. click on the news about what they are doing in affected areas, you should also see links for a secure online donation. you can also read about them and donate online (http://www.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=2&mid=6429) from the united methodist churches website.
sincerely
gavin
NEW YORK (UMNS) - The United Methodist Committee on Relief has provided about $750,000 in relief to the tsunami stricken Indian Ocean region as of Jan. 6.
Additional aid will be forthcoming, according to the Rev. Paul Dirdak, UMCOR's top staff executive.
A truckload of health kits valued around $500,000 is on its way from UMCOR, along with kits from other denominations. Church World Service is coordinating that effort.
The remaining $250,000 is being used for grants to Churches Auxiliary for Social Action in India, Christian Medical Association of India, the Methodist Church of Singapore and Church World Service.
CASA plans to serve as many as 50,000 families and is distributing food, emergency supplies and tarpaulins. Crisi s teams in five regions are assisting with emergency feeding programs and shelter distribution.
Christian Medical Association of India has deployed 12 health teams to remote regions. An UMCOR grant is helping the teams provide acute health care and longer-term trauma counseling for affected families. As villages regain their capacity for health services, the teams will move on to the next area.
A grant to Church World Service is supporting a first shipment of shelter kits to Sri Lanka on Jan. 9. Additional airlifts are planned to provide commodities for immediate needs and long-term recovery, according to CWS press reports. The agency is establishing a regional emergency staging area to support its Southern Asia recovery efforts.
Another UMCOR grant to the Methodist Church of Singapore will assist in delivering antibiotics to the stricken region.
UMCOR expects to mount a campaign for medicine boxes and health kits in addition to continuing its emphasis on cash donations. "We'll be able to use every health kit our congregations can make," Dirdak said.
The Rev. Kristin Sachen, UMCOR's head of international disaster response, said she expects recovery from the Asian tsunami to take several years. "Right now, we are assisting our ecumenical partners with delivery of desperately needed food, emergency shelter materials, medicines, blankets, clothing and cooking utensils," she added. "But that's just the beginning."
Sachen and another staff member met Jan. 6 with ecumenical leaders in Geneva to evaluate the effectiveness of the response to the South Asia tsunami disaster and determine the next steps.
The meeting was the first of several planned assessments that may lead to UMCOR providing more direct services, according to Sachen. Millions from Asia to the East Coast of Africa have lost homes and livelihoods, and much rebuilding will be required. The agenc y is planning an assessment mission in Sri Lanka, for example.
In many coastal areas, the land will need major cleansing, reclamation and rebuilding efforts. UMCOR has acquired expertise in large-scale rebuilding projects from its missions Turkey, Afghanistan and Bosnia. The scale of the South Asia disaster will require long-term food-for-work programs to help families recover their livelihoods, Sachen said.
Donations to UMCOR's "South Asia Emergency" relief efforts can be placed in local church offering plates or sent directly to UMCOR, 475 Riverside Drive, Room 330, New York, NY 10115. Designate checks for UMCOR Advance #274305 and "South Asia Emergency." Online donations can be made by going to www.methodistrelief.org
Those making credit-card donations can call (800) 554-8583.
