10 Florida United Methodist Review Online

Victims of Hurricane Mitch in Central America need help

LAKELAND — The destruction caused by Hurricane Mitch in Central America is “beyond description,” said Noemi Espinosa, director of Honduras’ Christian Commission for Development.

In Honduras, 5,000 people have died, 11,000 are missing and 70 percent of the crops have been destroyed. Nicaraguan officials expect their nation’s death toll to top 7,000. It will take a generation for the affected countries to recover.

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is calling for monetary donations to buy and ship relief supplies to the Central American people. “UMCOR has 50 years of experience getting needed supplies to disaster victims speedily and efficiently,” said Larry Rankin, director of the Florida Conference’s Missions Ministry office.

Donations should be designated to UMCOR’s Bishop’s Special Appeal, Hurricane ’98 Advance #982515. The designation may also include specific countries or regions.

For more information, contact the Missions office at 1-800-282-8011, extension 131, or e-mail: LRankin@flumc.org. For weekly hurricane relief updates on the internet, visit www.flumc.org and click the link to Hurricane Relief.