Haiti & Chile: How to Help

There will be a great need for volunteers to help rebuild once the initial crisis has settled. At this time, it is not safe or possible for volunteers to go to Haiti. In order to frame a response that is consistent with the churches’ needs, people wishing to volunteer should contact their jurisdictional VIM coordinator to determine when and how to appropriately respond.

Gifts to support UMCOR's Haiti Relief efforts can be made to Haiti Emergency, UMCOR Advance #418325. Checks can be made to UMCOR with Advance #418325 Haiti Emergency in the memo line. Checks can be put in the church's offering plate or mailed to UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087 (Asbury will begin receiving offerings for this need on Sunday through the offering plate or by mail or drop off at the church office.)

100% of gifts made to this advance will go to help the people of Haiti.

UMCOR Sager Brown is coordinating a shipment of health kits to provide individuals with basic necessities. Instructions for assembling and shipping health kits are available at http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/getconnected/supplies/health-kit/.

Please pray for all of the people affected by the earthquake in Haiti. Thank you for your faithful support for all of God’s children.

Chile Earthquake - The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) has sent an initial emergency grant to its relief partners in Chile to help them respond to the 8.8 magnitude earthquake that rocked the South American country last weekend. The grant will help the Methodist Church of Chile (IMECH) and its relief arm, the Methodist Humanitarian Action Team (EMAH), conduct needs assessments and bring food and clean water to survivors. “At this time, the situation continues to be extremely urgent,” said Juan Salazar, president of Methodist Social Ministry, also of IMECH. “The need for food and water is provoking desperation in the people beyond the looting and disorder shown on TV.” So far, the disaster, which struck in the early hours of Saturday morning, has taken more than 700 lives and wiped out more than half a million homes. Bishop Joel Martínez, interim general secretary of the General Board of Global Ministries, launched a call for solidarity and support, “I call on our generous United Methodist constituents to join in the response to the Chile Emergency Advance to strengthen UMCOR’s ability to be fully present with resources,” It is not anticipated that relief supply kits will be needed. Financial support can be made to Chile Emergency Advance #3021178. If you would like to support UMCOR in its relief efforts in Chile please make checks payable to Asbury UMC and write Chile Relief in the memo line.