UMCOR & the Refugee Crisis

Note: In response to questions from members of our congregation about what our denomination (through UMCOR) is doing in response to the refugee crisis in Europe, Pastor Charles sent an email to UMCOR requesting information and he received the following response:

Dear Rev. Alkula,

Thank you for your concern about the people fleeing conflict in this region. Please encourage your church to keep these vulnerable people in prayer. Also, those who would like to support the work UMCOR is doing and will be doing in response to this and other disasters and in its efforts to reduce disaster risk, are encouraged to give to the International Disaster Response Advance, #982450.

At this time, we have not determined, through our partner UMCs in the region, what the best way would be for assisting those fleeing into Europe with their material needs. Where possible, local sourcing of materials is generally the preferred approach because it builds up the local economy at the same time that it helps people in need. Therefore, we have not yet determined whether UMCOR kits will be shipped to Europe. A lot will depend on the assessment of our partners in the region. However, if your church would like to engage in an act of solidarity with the refugees in Europe and all those who are suffering, we would welcome your church to make hygiene kits or school kits. Your kits would help replenish the supplies we have at our depots so that these kits can be deployed when and where they can be most appropriately use. Instructions are on the www.umcor.org website.

As you may know, refugee resettlement in the United States is managed by a variety of resettlement agencies who work under a cooperative agreement with the Department of State. Ceilings on refugee admissions by nationality are established each year by the Administration. I understand that the number of Syrians to be admitted in the coming year was just increased yesterday. 

Although UMCOR does conduct refugee resettlement programming, we have a special partnership with Church World Service (CWS) to manage refugee resettlement. (CWS is one of the resettlement agencies engaged with the Department of State in their Refugee Admissions Program.) If your church is interested in assisting with refugee resettlement in the US, I would encourage you to contact Noel Andersen at CWS 510.334.0431, nandersen@cwsglobal.org. He would be glad to talk with any church interested.

Thank you for being UMCOR as we work together to alleviate suffering in the world.

Peace,
Rev. Jack Amick 
Assistant General Secretary, International Disaster Response and Risk Reduction

UMCOR
The United Methodist Committee on Relief
General Board of Global Ministries | The United Methodist Church
458 Ponce De Leon Ave., NE Atlanta, GA 30308
(T): 212-870-3874 www.umcor.org