UCC launches $250,000 Pacific Disaster Appeal in wake of multiple disasters.

The United Church of Christ today announced the opening of the Pacific Disaster Appeal in response to the typhoon, tsunamis and a major earthquake which have caused the deaths and devastation in the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, American Samoa, Western Samoa, Tonga and Indonesia. 

Prayer for the Pacific (PDF format) Bulletin Insert (PDF format)
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 Situation

• From September 26-29, Ketsana, a tropical storm which became a typhoon, swept across the northern Philippines, central Vietnam and Cambodia causing major flooding.  Heavy rains continue to fall throughout the region.

• On September 29, a magnitude 8.3 earthquake struck off the coast of Samoa resulting in several devastating tsunamis battering American Samoa, Western Samoa and Tonga.

• On September 30 and October 1 two strong earthquakes hit the Indonesian island of Sumatra, toppling apartment buildings and at least two hospitals.

The death toll across the region has topped 1,500 and is expected to rise significantly.

UCC Response

UCC members and staff have been in contact with church partners across the region expressing sympathy, compassion and offering support.  One Great Hour of Sharing emergency solidarity grants are being sent to partners to assist with immediate relief efforts.

Our UCC church partners, including Church World Service and other members of Action by Churches Together, Intl. are conducting damage assessments, providing immediate relief of food, water and shelter and making plans for immediate and long term relief, recovery and rehabilitation.

"To have three major disasters, in the same general area of the world, three days in a row is unprecedented in my experience," says Susan Sanders, UCC One Great Hour of Sharing Administrator.  "I'm grateful we have such a large, capable network of partners who are able to respond immediately, as well as a compassionate and generous UCC family."

How To Help:

1.  Pray for the people of the Pacific, their leaders and emergency and humanitarian aid workers.

2.  To assist impacted families, you may, send gifts payable to your congregation marked for "Pacific Disaster Fund" with the request they be sent through your Conference office on to Wider Church  Ministries.  General donations to this fund are encouraged.

If you desire to designate a specific disaster, please mark your gift for:  Typhoon Ketsana; South Pacific Tsunamis or Sumatra Earthquake.

OR

Send gifts, made out to Wider Church Ministries and marked in the memo portion "Pacific Disaster Fund" to Wider Church Ministries; 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115.

General donations to this fund are encouraged.

If you desire to designate a specific disaster, please mark your gift for:  Typhoon Ketsana; South Pacific Tsunamis or Sumatra Earthquake.

OR

Make a secure online donation to the "Pacific Disaster Fund."

Thank you for your compassion and support.