UMCOR...A Leader in Disaster Relief

Here is the latest news release from UMCOR - United Methodist Committee of Relief, a leader in disaster relief:

NEW YORK, Sept. 12, 2008—As Hurricane Ike churns in the Gulf of Mexico, the United Methodist Committee on Relief is gearing up for yet another September hurricane response. Ike is predicted to make landfall on Saturday along the Texas coast. More than 1 million people are said to be evacuating in preparation for the hurricane.

UMCOR has been in contact with the Texas and Southwest Texas Annual Conferences to provide any needed pre-storm support. "Both conferences are preparing," said Tom Hazelwood UMCOR's domestic disaster response executive. "Their plans are in place and are now evacuating ahead of the storm."

Hazelwood is scheduled to be in East Texas on Monday to assist the conferences in the early days of disaster response. UMCOR provides a spectrum of services following a disaster such as a hurricane depending on the conference's needs. This includes personnel support, training, and grants to fund disaster response ministry.

Additionally, United Methodist Volunteers in Mission and UMCOR are also preparing to coordinate any needed efforts following the storm. Specially-trained early response teams will be the first volunteers to go, once the area is deemed safe and secure.

How You Can Help
Your financial gifts to UMCOR Advance #3019695, Hurricanes 2008 support UMCOR's hurricane response efforts in what is becoming a very active hurricane season. Click here to go to UMCOR and learn more about how you can assist in disaster relief.