The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), a unit of Global Ministries, is a humanitarian organization that helps alleviate human suffering, one of the two main goals of Global Ministries. UMCOR’s work is carried out by providing relief and assistance in response to natural and human-made disasters and supporting programs in the areas of migration, health, food security and environmental sustainability.
As The United Methodist Church's global partner in all phases of disaster response, UMCOR supports goals and amplifies the connection's reach through multidimensional support that includes the mobilization of personnel, material resources and funding.
UMCOR walks with annual conferences and episcopal areas globally, coordinating efforts to deliver aid, provide disaster response training and support long-term recovery initiatives. UMCOR operates on the principle that all donations for disaster relief go directly to those in need and are not used to cover administrative costs.
UMCOR’s role in various phases of a disaster
Every disaster is local, and UMCOR support can take a variety of forms, depending on the phase of the disaster. UMCOR supports UMC conferences and other partners in assuming a role in disaster response that is based on need, strength, interest and capacity. This enables a UMC disaster response that is contextually specific, culturally appropriate and community centered.
Preparedness
- Early response support: training, credentialing and deployment coordination for disaster volunteers.
- Cabinet training: education for decision-makers on UMCOR’s incident coordination system. Identify and support areas for development; facilitate planning.
- Grant support for preparedness efforts.
- Continuity of operations planning.
Immediate Response
- Coordination support for a global network of over 8,000 early responders.
- Onsite technical assistance as requested, depending on capacity and scale required.
- Solidarity grants: up to $10,000 for immediate response needs.
- Relief grants: larger-scale support to address humanitarian concerns including food, WASH, essential nonfood items and psychosocial support.
- Relief supply network: material and equipment support for disaster response in the U.S., including hygiene and cleaning kits.
- Communications support: coordination of messaging and raising awareness of disaster impact.
Recovery
- Training, including disaster case management and long-term recovery orientations to benefit survivors and raise community standards.
- Grant funding for church participation in long-term recovery at various levels, including program design and coaching.
- Coordination with relevant organizations engaged in recovery.
- Onsite technical assistance, as requested.
Mitigation/Disaster Risk Reduction
- Planning: technical assistance for disaster response planning remotely or in person.
- Facilitation of participatory approaches to identifying risks, hazards, assets and mitigation strategies.
- Linkage and participation in national, state and regional disaster response forums to improve standards and enhance coordination.
- Support of the church's role in disaster response.
- Grant funding for disaster mitigation efforts.
Annual Conference and Episcopal Area's Disaster Response Role
- Identify local disaster response priority areas and the role of the church.
- Facilitate disaster planning process and share the Disaster Response Plan.
- Designate and empower local disaster response leaders to coordinate with UMCOR, UMC counterparts and other stakeholders.
- Socialize the importance of disaster preparedness and response by hosting training, sharing information and undertaking initiatives.
- Provide UMCOR recommendations regarding the allocation of resources for disaster response staffing and programming, as feasible. While recognizing the budgetary challenges for conferences, paid staff can accomplish more in disaster response, and are taken more seriously in state VOADs, national emergency management forums and other coordination spaces.
- Coordinate disaster response programming with UMCOR disaster response for support in planning, training and technical assistance.
While these activities represent UMCOR disaster response support in many cases, this list is not exhaustive. UMCOR consistently provides technical support, on-demand training, inter-disciplinary programming and linkages to other Global Ministries’ units.
UMCOR is always looking for new ways to support the church in alleviating human suffering and disaster response.
Photo credits in order of appearance: Mike DuBose, UM News; North Katanga Episcopal Area Disaster Management Office; UMCOR Sager Brown; Camp Tygart; Adam Bowers; Mike DuBose, UM News; Mike DuBose, UM News; Mike DuBose, UM News; Manila Episcopal Area.