wfn.org | Filipino United Methodists assist volcano victims

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

March 20, 2000	News media contact: Linda Bloom·(212) 870-3803·New York
10-21-33-71B{156}

By United Methodist News Service*

United Methodists are part of an ecumenical effort assisting victims of
volcanic explosions in the Philippines.

Members of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines joined with
government agencies conducting relief operations after the Mayon Volcano
erupted Feb. 24. The eruptions were accompanied by tremors, low-frequency
volcanic quakes and lava emission - adding to materials left by eruptions in
1993 and earlier times. Since the first eruption in February, Mayon has
released half a million ton of boulders, lava and ash.

Nearly 70,000 people in the towns surrounding the volcano have been affected
by the eruptions. Experts have predicted that it will take three to four
years to recover the losses to agriculture, infrastructure and personal
property.

National council members, including United Methodists, set up Operation Help
Mayon 2000 in Legaspi City, serving about 3,500 families in different
evacuation centers. Medical missions also are being planned to assist
victims who have health problems.

Asuncion Perez Memorial Center, the relief agency for United Methodists in
The Philippines, has provided food, medicines, hygiene kits, sleeping mats,
blankets and bottled water. 

#  #  #

*Information for this story was provided by Carmelita Matias, editor of The
Filipino Methodist.

*************************************
United Methodist News Service
Photos and stories also available at:
http://umns.umc.org