Haiti Earthquake Survivors: UMCOR Offers Prayer, Relief Efforts

In Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, thousands of people are dead and millions more are in need of aid after the January 13, 2010 earthquake that rocked Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas.The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), hopes to help ease the suffering of those who survived the devastating quake, through its ties with the Methodist Church in Haiti. UMCOR intends to help through funding, material resources, and prayer.

When these things happen, most people feel the urge to "do something to help" but lack any ideas on what they can really do. The earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes and hurricanes that pummel the earth on a regular basis disrupt more than just land, homes and property. They devastate lives, tear apart families and cripple countries. It is hard not to feel the compassion and empathy tug at heartstrings. Many times, after the inital phases of immediate crisis, the surge of people seeking to help wanes.

For those wondering how to help, UMCOR has answers. According to UMCOR's website, UMCOR executive Melissa Crutchfield, the organization anticipates the need for years of rebuilding and restructuring. The organization is partering with Action by Churces Together, Church World Service, Methodist Church, and Global Medic to extend the ministry of Christ through resouce channeling. This endeavor is undertaken in an effort to most effectively respond to those in desperate need of resources and aid.

At the time of the earthquake, there were volunteers from several regional United Methodist conferences on mission trips to Haiti. The volunteers report they are safe and are attempting to give first aid to those refugees who are hurt. They report that many more will die, as transport, aid, and resources are limited. For those wanting to know what they can do to help with the relief effort, UMCOR says that there will be a great need for volunteers to help rebuild after the inital phases of the crisis have passed. It is not safe or even possible for lay volunteers to go to Haiti at this time, but for those wishing to go at some point, contact the United Methodist Church jurisdicitonal directors to determine what response would be most consistent with the needs of the church.

Of course, UMCOR is accepting financial gifts for th Haiti Relief effort. Checks can be sent to UMCOR with a memo line of Advance #418325 to direct funds to the Haiti effort. Checks can be given through the offering plate at any United Methodist Church or mailed to UMCOR, P.O. BOx 9068, New York, NY 10087. UMCOR's website notes that 100 percent of gifts directed to this advance will go to the relief effort to directly help the people in Haiti.

UMCOR is part of the General Board of Global Ministries.

Source:
General Board of Global Minsitries. UMCOR Responds to Earthquake in Haiti. http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor
/newsroom/releases/archives2010/umcorrespondstohaiti/ (accessed Dec 17, 2010).