Nazarene Compassionate Ministry
Disaster Response
Faith Church of the Nazarene
Our Church Can Be Your Home
NCM Inundated with Disasters
The new year brought with it a wave of worldwide disasters that have left our brothers and sisters in Christ hurt, grieving, and struggling to find a way to go on.
Zimbabwe: cholera outbreak and economic crisis
The reality for the people of Zimbabwe is dire: the once stable country faces a devastating economic breakdown and a cholera epidemic that daily claims more victims.
It is estimated that of the 12 million people living in Zimbabwe, over 40% of the population does not have the means to provide even the most basic sustenance for themselves. A decade long agricultural crisis has created an extreme food shortage, and astronomical inflation rates have made the little that remains available too expensive to buy. Compounding the crisis is a spreading cholera epidemic. The BBC reports that more than 1,700 people have already died from cholera, and there are currently over 29,000 suspected cases, a number which may potentially double.
In an effort to combat the multi-faceted assault on the people of Zimbabwe, Nazarene Compassionate Ministries has developed the Food and Water Sanitation Project. Through this project, local Nazarenes will distribute maize meal, cooking oil, pulses (similar to lentils), and chlorine tablets for water purification to over 1,500 families on a monthly basis for at least three months.Gu
Gaza Conflict
An ongoing cycle of Palestinian rockets launched into Israeli territory and economy-crippling land, air, and sea-blockades around Gaza enforced by Israel have culminated in the latest conflict in which Israeli assaults on Gaza have resulted in the deaths of an estimated 700 Palestinians and 14 Israelis. Already dependent on outside aid before the attacks, the living conditions have become desperate in Gaza as there have been few breaks in the air and ground offensive since it began on December 27.
With about 200,000 Christians living in Gaza City alone, Nazarenes are striving to come alongside the evangelical churches there to help families caught in the middle of the violence. They are responding by providing food packets of rice, beans, sugar, tea, oil, flour, and canned meats, along wi9ith hygiene kits, basic medical supplies, blankets, and mattresses.
Guatemala: Landslide
A mile-wide landslide in central Guatemala on January 4 left around 35 people confirmed dead with 60 missing. Rev. Danilo Solis, the District Superintendent for that region, reports that as many as 20 Nazarenes lost their lives in the landslide. Two towns, both with Nazarene churches, have been completely evacuated with the threat of further landslides endangering the residents.
As the largest Nazarene district in Guatemala, with over 17,000 members, local Nazarenes were quick to take action. Two churches are housing displaced families, one with more than 200 guests, and food is being collected and distributed to those in need as they face rebuilding their lives.
Bangladesh: Cold Wave
Located in southern Asia, Bangladesh rarely sees anything but tropical temperatures. This winter has ushered in a deadly cold wave. Constant exposure to temperatures peaking at just above freezing could mean death for hundreds in this country unaccustomed to and unprepared for cold weather. To help our brothers and sisters fight the effects of the extreme temperatures, NCM is distributing blankets through local Nazarenes.
Haiti: Hurricane Recovery
Still recovering from the onslaught of hurricanes this past season that hit the island, Haitians continue in desperate need of our support. Massive flooding and wind damage caused by three hurricanes destroyed homes, churches, schools, and crops. This total destruction of the country’s infrastructure has left the more than 108,000 Nazarenes in Haiti and their neighbors dependent on outside assistance to rebuild their lives.
Here are some ways you can help.
Please partner with NCM through your prayers and contributions. Join us as we pray for the safety of our Nazarene brothers and sisters, as well as the people our local churches can help through these many trials. Those persons and churches who wish to contribute to the relief efforts can mark their checks "Global Disaster Relief NCMPR0108" and send them to Global Treasury Services, PO Box 843116, Kansas City, MO 64184. In Canada, checks should be made payable and sent to the Church of the Nazarene Canada, 20 Regan Road, Unit 9, Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3. Contributions can also be made online at www.ncm.org.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 13, 2009
Update: Nazarene Disaster Response to Hurricane Ike in Texas
After devastating the Turks and Caicos Islands, Bahamas, Haiti and Cuba, Hurricane Ike made final landfall in the USA. The storm hit Galveston Island, Texas in the early morning hours of September 13, washing away houses and causing massive wind damage from Galveston through Houston and into the northern areas of the state.
As Ike made its way through Texas and the central U.S. in the following days, it killed as many as 48 people and left countless homeless from flooding and wind damage as far north as Indiana and Ohio.
Hundreds of thousands evacuated their homes in southern Texas and more than 2 million Texans are still without power in their homes. FEMA reports that search and rescue operations are still in place. Food and fuel are in short supply.
Nazarene Disaster Response is being coordinated through the South Texas District and Houston NDR Director Brian Schaffer. At the moment NDR is waiting for both governing authorities and church leaders to assess the situation before bringing in volunteer groups. Teams will be sent by request starting next week.
How to Help:
Please pray for the government officials, public health and safety workers, and other agencies that are working together in the relief efforts. Let's also thank God for his protection and salvation that he extended to millions of people during the storm. Pray for those who will be facing the aftermath that they will be given strength, encouragement, and the peace of Christ.
There is great need to replenish the supply of Crisis Care Kits after this year of particularly active weather. For Crisis Care Kits instructions click here.
Persons and churches wishing to contribute to the relief efforts can mark their checks “International Hurricane Relief ACM2006” and send them to Global Treasury Services, 17001 Prairie Star Pkwy, Lenexa, KS 66220. In Canada, checks should be made payable and sent to the Church of the Nazarene Canada, 20 Regan Road, Unit 9, Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3.
An appeal for volunteer teams for Texas is not being made at this time; however, if you wish to make your availability known, please contact National NDR Director Steve Creech at 252.876.8720 or screech@ncmi.org. You can also look into disaster preparedness training at www.ndrusa.org.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2008
Hurricane Ike Raking Cuba, Leaves Trail of Destruction
At this moment, Hurricane Ike is raking across Cuba. This category-3 storm has challenged forecasters earlier in the week as it was predicted to make a turn to the north and directly hit South Florida. However, what may seem good news for the U.S. is bad news for the people of the Caribbean. After smashing into the Turks and Caicos islands this weekend, Ike swept across the southeastern Bahama islands. The storm system also dumped its deadly rains on an already devastated Haiti, where it is being blamed for the deaths of an additional 61 people there (in addition to the hundreds who died as a result of Hanna). Then hurricane then continued west Sunday night, straight into Cuba.
The Miami Herald reports, “Hurricane Ike continued on its destructive journey Monday morning, ripping through Cuba. Winds, a massive storm surge and heavy rains have destroyed hundreds of homes and toppled trees in the island nation. … There, it could possibly cause up to 20 inches of rain in some areas, flash floods and mudslides. Ike could also cause a storm surge of up to 12 feet, the National Hurricane Center advised."
Today is the day to pray and act on behalf of the people in the Caribbean.
Follow-up on Gustav, Hanna and Ike
Haiti- Bill Dawson, French Field Director, reports, "Hurricane Gustav dumped major amounts of rain on the South, affecting three districts heavily. The Southeast, South (Jacmel) and South Districts [we have 11 Nazarene districts in Haiti] all received major amounts of rain and wind. Heavy crop damage, loss of gardens and animals were sustained. A few days later Hanna struck from the north, passing north of the Dominican Republic coast and then stalling and turning south and tarrying a couple of days, then moving north again. Hanna's intensity caused additional storm cells to develop over the already saturated southern portion of the island. Hanna also put huge amounts of rainfall onto the already water-soaked island. Now, major flooding has washed out roadways and bridges making it impossible for our workers to even go northward to check on our people. Gonaive has lost some 500 people, only found after the flood water is receding a bit. It is a really sad situation. The district superintendent on the North Central District reports some of our people have been on a mountainside trying to wait the flood and rain out without food and water for four days now. We are trying to get emergency funds to him to assist our Nazarene family in Gonaive."
"On behalf of the 108,000 Nazarenes in Haiti I want to ask you to call your people across the districts in prayer for the family of Nazarenes in Haiti. These storms have affected some 8 percent of our worldwide membership. Eight percent of our family is waiting and praying that someone will remember them in this hour of need. I cannot even imagine what that is going to mean to our people."
Bahamas - Rev. Antoine St. Louis of Nassau, himself in the path of the storm, called for prayer and assistance for the Palmetto Point Church of the Nazarene on a different Bahama island. Palmetto Point, on the island of Eleuthera, was hit hard. Pray for your brothers and sisters who are enduring the storm at this moment. We won't know for a few days the extent of the damage in the Bahamas.
Dominican Republic - Devastating loss of crops, livestock and property have hurt the people of the Dominican Republic. Click here to view and download a video that shows the aftermath. Paquita Bido de Balbuena reports, "The Parsonage in Lecheria, Central district (Pastor Jose Luis) was damaged when a tree fell on it yesterday. The DR South district superintendent lost his plantain crops for the third year in a row due to the heavy rains. There are lots of roof damages in churches and parsonages. There is still much rain and damages, and due to the devastation many people have lost their source of income. The people are deeply affected emotionally and are very afraid when more rain in announced.”
Cuba - Because the storm is occurring now, news from Nazarenes is not yet available. Please check back at www.caribnaz.org/hurricane for regular updates.
Resources - The Caribbean Communications Office wants to offer a video from this week. Click here to view and download this video. Please feel free to use it in your services and to promote prayer for Caribbean Nazarenes. www.caribnaz.org/hurricane is the official website for news and updates about Nazarenes affected by this round of storms.
You can help:
Pray for the safety of our Nazarene brothers and sisters, as well as people the local churches can help through this trial.
Persons and churches wishing to contribute to the relief efforts can mark their checks “International Hurricane Relief ACM2006” and send them to Global Treasury Services, 17001 Prairie Star Pkwy, Lenexa, KS 66220. In Canada, checks should be made payable and sent to the Church of the Nazarene Canada, 20 Regan Road, Unit 9, Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 4, 2008
Two Jesus Film CTM Members Killed in Mob Violence in Orissa, India
Christians taking shelter in refugee camps
As the violence continues to spread in Orissa, many Christians remain in hiding after days of riots that have left many dead and countless Christian homes and churches burnt or destroyed.
Two Nazarene churches are now mourning the death of a pastor, Mr. Purna Digal of Baliguda Church and Mr. Purendra Digal of Bataguda Church. They were killed by the mob on Friday night, their churches burnt and their homes destroyed, while the villagers have fled into the jungle. Both were leaders of the JESUS Film Church-Type Mission Group in Orissa.
In similar incidents, Nazarene churches in at least six villages were burnt down and homes of countless Nazarene families were destroyed or burnt by the angry mobs. "Tonight I heard that a total of 15 Nazarene churches were burnt and a total of 400 houses of Nazarene families were destroyed," Rev. Sunil Dandge, FSC-India Field reports.
Mr. Bibhu Prasad Nayak, JESUS Film Catalytic Church Planter in Orissa, says, "We are scared and afraid for our lives and constantly living in fear. Please pray for our safety and of many other members whose whereabouts we are unaware of."
Thousands of people, most of them Christians, are still hiding in the forests or have found refuge in the shelter camps set up by the government.
"Please do continue to uphold the families who have lost their dear ones and who have lost everything," Rev. Sunil Dandge asks. "Also for the administration that they may be effective in maintaining peace and bringing the situation back to normal. And that relief efforts may be allowed soon."
Urgent Prayer is requested for Nazarenes in Orissa, India, and other Christians suffering at this time. Pray also for the NCM and JESUS Film staff, who are currently preparing to respond and help wherever they can.
Persons and churches wishing to contribute to the relief efforts can mark their checks “India Civil Unrest ACM1600” and send them to Global Treasury Services, 17001 Prairie Star Pkwy, Lenexa, KS 66220. In Canada, checks should be made payable and sent to the Church of the Nazarene Canada, 20 Regan Road, Unit 9, Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 2, 2008
Hurricane Gustav Packs a Punch
Remembering the devastation caused by hurricane Katrina just three years ago, the Gulf Coast braced itself for hurricane Gustav. Gustav caused considerable damage as a tropical storm in Haiti, The Dominican Republic, and Jamaica before coming ashore in the United States as a Category 3 Hurricane.
In Haiti, it was reported that a project that NCM helped establish after the food crisis in April has been affected, wiping out efforts in growing sustainable food sources which included gardens and livestock.
In the Gulf Coast, nearly 2 million residents heeded the warnings and the mandatory evacuations issued by the governor of Louisiana. District Superintendent, Greg Mason for Louisiana and Mississippi, indicated the members of the Nazarene churches in New Orleans and the surrounding areas have evacuated. Dr. Charles Johnson, pastor of Fitkin Memorial Church of the Nazarene in Meridian, Mississippi, is serving as a sanctuary for many of the evacuees from New Orleans and Pascagoula.
Nearly one million residents are without power and preliminary damage estimates are between 6-10 million dollars. Steve Creech, National Director for Nazarene Disaster Response (NDR), says plans are in place to respond to the needs of those affected by hurricane Gustav. Baton Rouge First Church of the Nazarene is serving as the local command post for NDR. George Sisler of One Heart Many Hands and Josh Mason, who served as coordinators in New Orleans during the response to hurricane Katrina, will once again serve as the local coordinators for the response to hurricane Gustav. Convey of Hope has partnered with NDR in providing relief products to residents. Rapid response teams from Indiana and Michigan are scheduled to begin arriving in the area on Saturday, September 6. As residents return to the affected area and the damages are assessed, teams will be in place to assist in the repairs.
Even as the response to Gustav is underway, tropical storm Hanna began pummeling Haiti with heavy rain falls. Reports from Haiti NCM indicate that throughout the country, our Nazarene brothers and sisters are being evacuated, their houses are being destroyed and one young member of our church died as a result of the heavy rains. The Haitians remember Hurricane Jeanne, which caused heavy rainfall in September 2004. Jeanne resulted in hundreds of people missing, more than one thousand dead and over 300,000 homeless due to flooding and mudslides. One pastor, Jeudy Gary reports that Gonaive, a town in the north central part of Haiti, ‘is being affected by Hanna more than Hurricane Jeanne’.
The Southeast Coast of the United States is also preparing for hurricane Hanna. Hanna is forecasted to hit the southeast coast later in the week. Rapid response teams from Virginia and North Carolina are on standby as they prepare to be first responders to any devastating affects suffered because of the storm.
Once again, your support is needed to facilitate the response to those who were evacuated and to assists in the recovery from the storms. Persons and churches wishing to contribute to the relief efforts can mark their checks “International Hurricane Relief ACM2006” and send them to Global Treasury Services, 17001 Prairie Star Pkwy, Lenexa, KS 66220. In Canada, checks should be made payable and sent to the Church of the Nazarene Canada, 20 Regan Road, Unit 9, Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3.
Teams interested in registering to respond to hurricanes in the USA can contact Steve Creech via email at screech@ncmi.org or 252-799-6888.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 2, 2008
Children at Risk
Poverty, natural disasters, conflicts, injustices, and food crises have increased in the last few years, and the most affected are the children.
* Over half a billion children are struggling to survive on under $1 per day.
* 250,000 children and young people are infected with HIV/AIDS every month.
* It is estimated that 25 million children will have lost one or both parents to AIDS by 2010.
* 130 million children lack access to education.
* 246 million children are child laborers.
* 8.4 million children are trapped in slavery, trafficking, debt bondage, prostitution, pornography and other illicit activities.
* 300,000 young people under 18 are exploited as child soldiers.
* 30,000 children die each day from preventable diseases.
This is the reality of the children of today. What can be done?
Through prayer, we can intervene on behalf of these children, releasing the power and work of the Holy Spirit in their lives, their families and their communities.
Christians all over the world are called to unite and pray for children at risk - children in poverty, abuse and deprivation. This prayer focus is organized by Viva Network, which connects international Christian organizations who work with children at risk.
We call every Christian and local church to stand with us in prayer for children around the world. We encourage you to be ambassadors for children at risk in your community.
For more details and materials on how you and/or your church can participate a Global Weekend of Prayer, we invite you to log on to www.viva.org.
Crisis Care Kits
Crisis Care Kits-Considering the hundreds of thousands of people left homeless and without basic supplies, there is an extraordinary need for more Crisis Care Kits (CCKs).
Dr. Walter Maestri, director of Emergency Operations Center in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, expressed sincere gratitude to the Church of the Nazarene for responding with the Crisis Care Kits. Having been a CCK recipient himself, Walter said, "These CCKs are fantastic. We need all you can send."
While it may seem logical to send CCKs directly to affected areas, please do not send CCKs to the Gulf Coast. NDR must be able to coordinate the timing, rate of distribution, and the location to be most effective in their response efforts. Due to the high numbers of CCKs being received, please send CCKs according to the following instructions:
From the western portion of the U.S.A., please send CCKs to:
Hands of Hope
Attn: Liz Murtland
1201 S. Powerline Road
Nampa, ID 83686
From the eastern portion of the U.S.A., please send CCKs to:
For shipping via the Postal Service:
Nazarene Relief Shipments
Attn: Mr. John Borgal
PO Box 117
Fawn Grove, PA 17321-0117
For shipping other than the Postal Service: Nazarene Relief Shipments
Attn: Mr. John Borgal
5300 Fawn Grove Road
Pylesville, MD 21132
For more information on Crisis Care Kits, see the following NCM, Inc. Web page: http://www.ncmi.org/giving_opportunities/cck.htm
Other questions regarding CCKs should be directed to 1-800-214-4999.
This page was last updated on: January 14, 2009
