wfn.org | Methodists consider needs in Sierra Leone

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

Jan. 11, 2000  News media contact: Linda Bloom·(212) 870-3803·New York
10-31-71B{014}

By United Methodist News Service

A coalition of Methodist groups, along with ecumenical and nongovernmental
partners, is considering joint programs to assist the citizens of war-torn
Sierra Leone.

Thirty representatives of these groups met at Wuppertal, Germany, for a Dec.
14-16 consultation. Joe Wagner, a consultation organizer, said he found "a
spirit of optimism" about Sierra Leone, despite the still unstable political
situation in the West African country. Wagner is coordinator of Operation
Classroom, which has a partner relationship with United Methodists in Sierra
Leone and Liberia.

"I was very encouraged by the commitment of the various mission agencies,"
he told United Methodist News Service.

Besides Operation Classroom, other groups represented included the United
Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR); the Women's Division, United
Methodist Board of Global Ministries; the Swedish and German United
Methodist Board of Missions; the Methodist Church in Ireland; the British
Methodist Church; the European Baptist Mission; Bread for the World; and
both the Methodist and United Methodist churches of Sierra Leone.

During the consultation, the groups agreed to:

·	Coordinate common programs between the United Methodist and
Methodist churches in Sierra Leone;
·	Minister to those in the camps for the displaced;
·	Assist with the repatriation and resettlement of citizens;
·	Work in the critical areas of health care, water and sanitation;
·	Help farmers through their first new crop period; and 
·	Establish a national trauma-counseling program.

A major issue for both denominations, according to Wagner, is the placement
of pastors in camps of displaced persons and in the villages where people
will be returning. Those pastors will need special training, along with
shelter, furniture and a stipend.

The churches will need to cooperate with various United Nations agencies to
help with resettlement, Wagner said. Health care needs will include the use
of mobile clinics, the provision of transportation to the nearest health
center and the renovation of hospitals and clinics. 

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United Methodist News Service
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