UMCOR provides assistance to typhoon survivors
Dec. 5, 2006
NOTE: A photograph is available at http://umns.umc.org.
NEW YORK (UMNS) - The United Methodist Committee on Relief is working with partners in the Philippines to provide immediate assistance following Typhoon Durian.
The typhoon, which struck the Central Philippines on Dec. 1, triggered landslides in Albay Province that left more than 500 people dead.
But with hundreds still missing, the Philippine National Red Cross warned that the final death toll could be more than 1,000, according to the Associated Press. The landslides buried villages on the slopes of Mount Mayon, the country's most active volcano, 200 miles south of Manila.
Disaster officials estimated that at least 40,000 people had been forced to flee their homes, the New York Times reported, with more than 800,000 people affected in total. Some were stranded in their homes, while others sought shelter in churches and schools.
The Rev. Paul Dirdak, UMCOR's chief executive, is in contact with the United Methodist bishop in the affected region to provide needed support.
"We want to assure the churches in the Philippines of our prayers and support," he said, noting that UMCOR already had sent an emergency grant toward relief and expects to send two more in the coming days.
In the last typhoon of this magnitude, churches in this region provided shelter for survivors of other storms. Now, these church members are in need of shelter themselves, according to Dirdak.
Cash gifts will help UMCOR continue to support the immediate relief and long-term recovery of those affected by the Typhoon Durian. Checks can be dropped in church offering plates or mailed directly to UMCOR, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087. Write "UMCOR Advance #240235, Philippines Emergency, Typhoon Durian," on the memo line of the check.
Credit card donations can be made at http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/ online or by calling, tollfree, (800) 554-8583.
News media contact: Linda Bloom, New York, (646) 369-3759 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
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United Methodist News Service Photos and stories also available at: http://umns.umc.org
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