Slideshow image

When sudden disaster strikes, United Methodists answer the call. Through UMCOR—our denomination's humanitarian relief arm—we are providing vital aid to families facing destruction from the recent 7.4-magnitude earthquake in Colombia and severe flash flooding across Indiana and Ohio, while supporting other recent emergency responses worldwide.

Focus on Crisis: Emergency Aid in Colombia

Following the high-magnitude earthquake in western Colombia on August 10, UMCOR partnered with the Colombian Methodist Church to deploy immediate emergency funding. Relief teams are distributing basic necessities—food packages, safe water supplies, and household essentials—to families who have lost their homes in Cali and surrounding regions. As immediate hazards are cleared, UMCOR will continue supporting long-term community recovery.

Focus on Crisis: Flooding Relief in Indiana & Ohio

Mid-August brought historic, back-to-back storms that overwhelmed watersheds in East-Central Indiana and Ohio, leaving communities under feet of water. UMCOR is coordinating directly with regional United Methodist Annual Conferences to support local Early Response Teams (ERTs). Emergency grants are funding debris removal, structural mucking-out operations, and the distribution of essential cleanup buckets to help families reclaim their homes.

Responding Across the Connection

In addition to these focused efforts, UMCOR has issued emergency solidarity grants over the past two months to assist communities recovering from other sudden crises:

  • Wisconsin: Assisting relief and cleanup efforts following severe summer tornadoes and flooding.

  • Washington State: Supporting emergency relief and evacuee care for families fleeing the Spokane County wildfires.

  • Mississippi & West Virginia: Funding ERT deployments and essential supplies after destructive flash flooding.

  • Venezuela: Distributing relief kits and setting up emergency shelter after recent earthquakes.

Why Give Through UMCOR?

Because UMCOR’s overhead is funded through denominational support, 100% of every dollar you give to an Advance project goes straight to relief and recovery efforts. Your gift buys food, clean water, tarps, and tools for people in their darkest hours.

Three Ways to Respond Today

  • Pray: Pray for comfort for grieving families and strength for disaster response teams.

  • Give Online: Visit umcmission.org/give to make a direct donation:

    • Donate to U.S. Disaster Response (Advance #901670)

    • Donate to International Disaster Response (Advance #982450)

  • Give Through Our Church: Write a check to our church with "UMCOR Disasters" in the memo line with the above Advance #, or choose "Fund 8411-UMCOR Disasters" in our online church giving portal and include the above Advance # in the Notes field.