Florida braces for Hurricane Georges with help of United Methodists
9/25/1998 By Bob Blair* United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) has personnel in Florida to provide training to volunteers and help to Hurricane Georges survivors who will not qualify for other forms of assistance.
Meanwhile, Miami Lakes United Methodist Church already is providing 150 meals three times daily to the staff and volunteers in NOAA's Hurricane Center in south Miami, where the storm is being monitored 24 hours a day.
Members of the UMCOR Catastrophic Disaster Response Team are providing expedited training for disaster volunteers in Puerto Rico and the U. S. Virgin Islands.
UMCOR traditionally works closely with other denominations and volunteer organizations, such as the American Red Cross and Salvation Army, as well as state and local governmental agencies. In addition, UMCOR has a partnership working agreement with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Through local United Methodist churches, UMCOR will help provide aid to individuals and families--usually the elderly, handicapped and indigent--who do not qualify for assistance from other disaster organizations. They fail to qualify for disaster loans because of an inability to repay the loans.
UMCOR assistance is provided without regard to religion, race, nationality or sex. The organization has been providing aid around the world for nearly 60 years. While often on scene at a disaster within the first few hours, UMCOR has the reputation of being the last to
leave the scene, continuing to provide assistance for up to two or three years.
People may join the disaster response effort by calling UMCOR toll free at 800 554-8583 to volunteer, donate goods or contribute cash. For immediate relief, the Federal Emergency Management Agency is recommending cash donations because it enables experienced relief agencies "to purchase exactly what is most needed by the victims and helps the local economy recover." Volunteers will be needed after the emergency phase gives way to recovery.
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*Blair, of Woodstock, Va., is a UMCOR disaster communications consultant.
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