wfn.org | UMCOR responding to Papua New Guinea tidal wave victims

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

July 21, 1998	Contact: Linda Bloom*(212) 870-3803*New York
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 By United Methodist News Service

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is participating in an
ecumenical response to assist victims of the tidal wave in Papua New
Guinea.

By July 21, at least 1,200 people were known dead and another 6,000
unaccounted for, many of them children. The giant wave washed away
several villages on July 17.

A missionary family assigned to Papua New Guinea by the United Methodist
Board of Global Ministries escaped harm.  The Rev. Michael and Teresa
Rynkiewich, South Indiana Conference, are assigned to the Melanesian
Institute in Goroka.

According to the Rev. John McCollough, the board's associate general
secretary for mission personnel, Goroka lies at an elevation of 5,000
feet, about 150 miles away from the affected area.

UMCOR's response is through Action By Churches Together (ACT), which has
sent an initial grant to Papua New Guinea to help provide food, water,
clothing and medicines.

The New York Times reported that the devastated area is moutainous and
covered with thick jungles, making access difficult. An American Red
Cross spokeswoman said the delivery of relief supplies takes two days by
boat.

United Methodists can assist by making donations to UMCOR's
International Disaster Response No. 982450-8, designated Papua New
Guinea, through a local church or by mail to UMCOR, 475 Riverside Dr.,
Suite 330, New York, NY 10115.

United Methodist News Service
(615)742-5470
Releases and photos also available at
http://www.umc.org/umns/