The United Methodist Committee on Relief’s response to the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that rocked Haiti on August 14 is underway. The quake, which particularly damaged the southern and western regions of the island, has left more than 2,200 dead and 12,000 injured.
Your gifts on UMCOR Sunday helps support the foundation for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) to share God’s love with communities everywhere.
Several hospitals have been damaged or destroyed. Those still open are completely overwhelmed, lacking sufficient personnel and medical supplies. UMCOR has already awarded grants to provide urgently needed medical supplies. The first grant, to the Église Méthodiste d’Haiti (Methodist Church in Haiti), in coordination with local doctors and nurses, will supply two clinics in Gebeau and Les Cayes with medical supplies. The second, to Service Chrétien d’Haiti (SCH), will supply Les Cayes General Hospital. These grants will enable the procurement of bandages, gauze, IV fluids, antibiotics, and, given the continuing coronavirus pandemic, Personal Protection Equipment. Access to the impacted areas is limited due to extensive damage and, sadly, gang violence, but the Haitian government and high-ranking United Nations officials have negotiated humanitarian access for relief convoys.
“UMCOR has a long history of working with partners in Haiti to alleviate suffering and advance hope and healing. Our response will continue with additional grants to partners in the region providing humanitarian relief. As we know from past tragedies, recovery will have its challenges and will take time, and UMCOR is prepared to assist the long-term recovery as it has done in the past,” said Roland Fernandes, general secretary of Global Ministries and UMCOR.
The 2010 earthquake in Haiti was devastating and took the lives of 230,000 people, including two of Global Ministries’ executives, the Rev. Sam Dixon, who led UMCOR, and the Rev. Clinton Rabb, director of the Mission Volunteers office. Response to that disaster brought together resources from UMCOR, other humanitarian groups, local churches and volunteer teams to rebuild. At that time, UMCOR also established a field office that directed local program implementation for several years. More recently, UMCOR has supported numerous projects in Haiti, focusing on rebuilding, environmental sustainability, women’s economic development, education, food security, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH).
“Tropical Depression Grace has only added to the tragedy unfolding in Haiti,” remarked Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton, president of UMCOR. “We will continue to pray for and support those who have been injured, who have lost loved ones, or are without food and shelter, as well as those on the ground coordinating and supporting relief efforts.”
General Board of Global Ministries website
One of six churchwide Special Sundays with offerings of The United Methodist Church, UMCOR Sunday calls United Methodists to share the goodness of life with those who hurt. Your gifts to UMCOR Sunday lay the foundation for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) to share God’s love with communities everywhere. The special offering underwrites UMCOR’s “costs of doing business.” This helps UMCOR to keep the promise that 100 percent of any gift to a specific UMCOR project will go toward that project, not administrative costs.
When you give generously on UMCOR Sunday, you make a difference in the lives of people who hurt. Give now.
