Disaster Response

Haiti

   
Some have asked about the possibility of serving on mission teams. As of right now the rescue operation is still in full swing and no mission teams that are not trained in rescue operations are being allowed into Haiti. At this time the requirements for future mission teams will require that you have served on mission teams in the past in Haiti to be eligible to go. This requirement holds true for our Early Response teams and long-term volunteers. As the doors open for opportunities or the requirements change we will be sure to pass this information along to you.
 
Thank you again for your tremendous response to this disaster!
Laraine Waughtal, CTC Disaster Response Coordinator
 
As the crisis continues in Haiti many questions have arisen in relation to the difference between contributing to UMCOR for health kits and giving to the Advance #418325.  We hope to clarify your questions that these are two different responses.  The health kits are a specific gift that you can put together to help people to have their basic needs met who have been forced to live out on the streets due to the devestation.
 
When you give to the advance  this money goes to Haiti in a variety of ways.  In a statement given out by UMCOR today please read how United Methodist's and your contributions are making a difference.
 
"UMCOR is providing emergency grants to the Methodist Church in Haiti and GlobalMedic to address the needs of those affected by the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti on Jan. 12.

UMCOR is partnering with GlobalMedic to provide clean drinking water, treatment for severe diarrhea, and medical attention to those in need. UMCOR is also supporting GlobalMedic's response through the deployment of paramedics, water technicians, and a doctor to assist those sick or injured.

A hub for water distribution is also being set up to provide 65,000 people daily with clean drinking water. In addition, about 110,000 sachets of PUR water purifiers, five million Aquatab water purification tablets, and 110,000 oral rehydration sachets are being distributed to those who have been forced from their homes as a result of the earthquake.

UMCOR and GlobalMedic are working in partnership with local non-government organizations (NGOs) and the United Nations’ network of relief organizations to coordinate response efforts and give aid to areas not receiving direct assistance.

Bahamas Methodist Habitat Transports UMCOR Staff
Thanks to mission aircraft transportation services provided by Bahamas Methodist Habitat (BMH), a US-based nonprofit organization, UMCOR staff persons Melissa Crutchfield, international disaster response executive, and Edgar Avitia, a Global Ministries executive, arrived in the Dominican Republic over the weekend when all commercial airlines were sold out. Crutchfield and Avitia are assessing relief needs and coordinating relief distribution efforts with on-the-ground partners.

Bahamas Methodist Habitat is conducting 12 flights per day through its Fly-In & Help Out mission program, transporting much-needed medical supplies into and evacuating people out of Haiti for medical assistance. Through this program, more than 10,000 pounds of emergency medical relief supplies have already been delivered to Haiti.

Over three million people are in dire need of assistance in Haiti."

Program Description:
The CTC Disaster Response Ministry supports the efforts of our congregations to prepare for and respond to disasters near and far.  We work in the areas of Disaster Preparedness, Early Response, and Spiritual Care, and partner with UMCOR and UMVIM to support long-term disaster recovery and international relief efforts.  For more detailed information about the various ways that you or your church may serve in a time of disaster, please click here to download a brochure

Highlighted Ministries:
Join the Central Texas Conference volunteers in a conference-wide Disaster Response/UMVIM trip to the Sager Brown Depot on May 2-7, 2010 see attached for information and registration.

Bishops Launch Church wide Appeal to Rebuild Lives/Churches in the Philippines
The Council of Bishops launched an appeal to help the people of the Philippines who were hard hit in September and October by four typhoons leaving more than a thousand dead and an estimated 1.2 million people displaced. The storms had a disastrous impact on farmlands, houses and infrastructure, causing drownings, landslides and electrocutions. Their homes are gone. Crops and livestock have disappeared. They have no livelihood. Currently the country is facing a public health emergency and is struggling to fight outbreaks of infection. Givers can donate online at http://umcappeal.org with assurance that 100% of every donation will go to the Church wide Appeal for Philippines Disasters No. 818-002-PHP.  For more details on this appeal, visit http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=5398307&ct=7677861.

Georgia Flood Response
On Monday, September 21, 17 counties in the state of Georgia were hit hard by massive flooding from severe storms moving northeast from the Gul of Mexico.  About five people are dead after Georgia creeks and rivers burst from days of torrential rain.
UMCOR is in contact with the North Georgia Annual Conference to assist with recovery efforts, as disaster response personnel assess the situation.  Cleaning buckets from UMCOR's Relief Supp.y Depots are ready to be dispatched to areas in need.
Support the North Georgia Annual Conference during this initial phase of recovery with your gifts to US Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance #901670 (Georgia Flood Response) on your church remittance form or give now.

 Click here to learn about the newest UMCOR Emergency Birthing Kit to be shipped worldwide from Sager Brown and other UMCOR related depots.  Click here for a church bulletin insert.

CTC Partnership with Southwest Louisiana
Due to a vast and ongoing need for volunteers in Lake Charles and other parts of southwest Louisiana, the CTC continues to support the partnership that we established with this area in October 2006.  Please consider joining the efforts of the Louisiana Conference Disaster Response Ministry by organizing a mission team to serve at the Lake Charles Station.  For more information, visit www.laumcstormrelief.com.

Resources:
Church leaders!  Do you need resources to help your congregation(s) prepare for and respond to disasters?  Click here to get resources from the Central Texas Conference's new Toolkit for Disaster Preparedness and Response

 For the latest news on disasters in the weekly UMCOR hotline click here

UMCOR Emergency Response

Sager Brown Depot

One Great Hour of Sharing

Training Opportunities:
 Conference leaders in disaster response are available to train your congregation in two important areas:

Early Response Team training provides essential information for self-sufficient teams that serve just after a disaster occurs, assisting with debris and home cleanup as well as prevention of further damage to homes.

UMCOR’s “Connecting Neighbors” training guides local churches in preparing for and responding to disasters in your own community and beyond.  Information includes developing a church disaster plan, assessing the resources of the church community, and serving in a disaster area outside of your local community.
 
Additionally, the conference can provide training through UMCOR in the area of Spiritual Care.
 
If you are interested in organizing training for your congregation or participating individually, please let us know!

Contacts:
Central Texas Conference Coordinator:  Laraine Waughtal, 940/564-5622, 564-6494; revlaraine@yahoo.com

 District Coordinators:
Brownwood: Bob Bell, 254/734-6496; gonefishing7247@msn.com

Mid-Cities: Ed Balsly, 817/428-2775, 992-1889; piloted22@sbcglobal.net
          Leslie Byrd, 817/431-1332, 817/915-8464; leslieb@kellerlumc.org

Fort Worth:  Page Hines, 817/335-6080 ext. 101; phines@firststreetmission.org

          Mary Nell Partin, 817/232-0390; marynell@saginawumc.org

Temple:  Brady Johnston, 254/947-5482, 718-3729; bjohnston@saladoumc.org
          Warren Gossett; 512/577-3767; Warren_gossett@yahoo.com
Waco: Allen Grant, 254/836-1107, 254/715-0935; pastor@chinaspringumc.com

          Dawn Gilliland,254/751-0411; gilliland007@hotmail.com
Waxahachie: Cal Hoffman, 972/617-8840; ovillaumc@sbcglobal.net

Weatherford: Rex Layfield, 817/688-7002; layfiewr@aol.com

          Glenn Jones, 817/599-4231, 972/935-6312; glenn@fumcweatherford.org

At-Large: David McCurdy, 817/488-9324, 683-4137; dmcCurdy8600@yahoo.com

          Rita Hotz, 254/368-7327; bubblydiv@aol.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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