Disaster Response Support and relief for Gaza
UMCOR support for relief work in Gaza includes large grants that further the work of partners who can implement large scale distribution of food, water, personal hygiene and other non-food items. Grants also support health care and health facilities that have managed to remain open inside Gaza. Smaller grants of equal importance support organizations that can mount small- scale projects to reach specific vulnerable populations with targeted relief. Contributions to large-scale relief efforts since October 2023 have provided, whenever possible, food rations, fresh food, water, nonfood items such as shelter supplies, hygiene supplies and medical care. Some have also helped with counseling and information sessions about health, wellbeing and avoiding live munitions.
The people of Gaza have experienced suffering so deep that it will be felt for generations to come. Tens of thousands of civilians have been killed, families and whole communities displaced, and almost all infrastructure including homes, hospi- tals and schools destroyed. – Roland Fernandes, Global Ministries General Secretary
Disaster Response Care after triple disasters in the Philippines
Late in the summer of 2024, fishing villages and even inland towns in the Bay of Manila were affected by a triple calamity. Typhoon Carina, a southwest monsoon and oil spills from three different tankers in the same week strained the capacity of communities to recover. The Manila Episcopal Area Disaster Management Office (MEA DMO) supported by UMCOR, assessed the triple disasters and sent out a “call to action.” Churches took a special offering and gave direct aid by distributing food and water. The MEA DMO creat- ed a committee to maximize and ensure a coordinated response for local churches and annual conferences.
In one barangay, the flooding reached up to the neck of the average person. Small boats had to be used to transport goods and people, and it affected everyone. I spoke with a pastor there and he said there is still water on the roads after three months. – The Rev. Joseph Estadilla, District Superintendent and Dean of the Cabinet, Manila Episcopal Area
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