wfn.org | Methodists respond to those left homeless in Taiwan

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TITLE:Methodists respond to those left homeless in Taiwan

Oct. 13, 1999 News media contact: Linda Bloom·(212) 870-3803·New York
10-21-33-71B{535}

By United Methodist News Service

Methodists in Taiwan continue to respond to those left homeless by the
earthquake that devastated the island nation on Sept. 21.

Representatives of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) met with
church leaders there during an Oct. 1-6 assessment visit. Protestants
compose about 3 percent of Taiwan's population, with the largest number
being Presbyterian.

The Rev. Jonah Chang, a Taiwan native who made the trip with UMCOR Disaster
Consultant Gordon Knuckey, reported that effects of the earthquake were very
visible. 

The temblor killed more than 2,000 and severely damaged or leveled 7,000
structures. Besides the fact that more than 100,000 families are estimated
to be homeless, others were living in tents because they were afraid of
being caught in a building during one of the multiple aftershocks.

"Tent cities dotted every park, school, city square, athletic field and open
area in front of train stations throughout the disaster areas," said Chang,
a retired clergy member of the California-Nevada Annual (regional)
Conference.

Although the Methodist church in Taiwan suffered no losses, Bishop Philip
Tseng reported that its relief efforts have included:

·	offering 50 units of newly built housing in Kaohsiung City to
earthquake victims;
·	providing free living facilities and transportation for university
students at the church's Gospel Camp Compound in Yangmin-Shan;
·	covering all expenses for 50 students at Soochou University whose
parents were earthquake victims.
·	setting up long-term Methodist Relief Centers in Tshushan City,
Nantun and Tali to provide supplies and staff for ministry to children and
youth;
·	providing grants to various agencies doing relief work; and
·	allocating nearly $1.7 million over the next three years from the
church budget for relief and reconstruction work.

Ecumenical and international relief efforts also are under way. Future needs
were identified during an Oct. 4 meeting with Methodists, Presbyterians,
UMCOR, Church World Service USA and others. Those needs include educating
people who can train others for disaster response and preparedness;
providing assistant pastors in disaster areas to reduce stress upon pastors;
employing workers with children and youth in the tent cities; and providing
temporary housing for church members and other earthquake victims.  

UMCOR's board of directors is expected to consider specific financial
requests relating to Taiwan earthquake relief and recovery during the Oct.
18-21 meeting of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.

Contributions can be made to UMCOR Advance No. 201325-3, "Taiwan
Earthquake," and placed in church collection plates or mailed directly to
UMCOR at 475 Riverside Dr., Room 330, New York, NY 10115. Credit-card
donations can be made by calling (800) 554-8583,

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United Methodist News Service
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