wfn.org | UMNS# 05188-UMCOR joins coalition rushing aid to Indonesia

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UMCOR joins coalition rushing aid to Indonesia

Apr. 1, 2005	 News media contact:   * ( ) * {05188}

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By Linda Beher*

NEW YORK (UMNS)-The United Methodist Committee on Relief has joined an
ecumenical coalition shipping emergency aid to the Indonesian island of
Nias, which was hard hit by a March 28 earthquake.

On March 31, UMCOR, in partnership with Church World Service, sent 35
boxes of medicine, 14 boxes of gloves, 500 tents and 1,000 packages of
emergency supplies on a United Nations helicopter, together with a water
purification unit and other supplies. Both organizations are members of
Action by Churches Together, the international ecumenical alliance.

ACT officials report that up to 85 percent of buildings on Nias were
damaged in the 8.7-magnitude quake. The army, police and survivors are
still trying to evacuate people from under the ruins of buildings and
houses. Complicating their work are impassable roads, the lack of heavy
lifting equipment and the small aftershocks that occur every few hours.
About 600 people are confirmed dead, but that number is expected to
rise.

UMCOR is launching long-term rehabilitation and rebuilding projects in
Indonesia in response to the March 28 earthquake and Dec. 26 earthquake
and tsunami. Donors using a credit card may give to UMCOR Advance
#274305, "South Asia Emergency," by calling a toll-free number, (800)
554-8583. Checks can be dropped in church collection plates or mailed to
UMCOR at P.O. Box 9068, GPO, New York, NY 10087-9068.

# # #

*Beher is communications director for the United Methodist Committee on
Relief.

News media contact: Linda Bloom, New York, (646) 369-3759 or
newsdesk@umcom.org.

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United Methodist News Service
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