Puerto Rico Disaster Response

News September 19, 2022

Hurricane Fiona made landfall in southwestern Puerto Rico on Sunday morning. The storm brought heavy rains and wind. The whole of the island remains without power. Currently, the Iglesia Metodista de Puerto Rico (IMPR) is preparing to respond once the storm has passed. Rehace, the non-profit organization of the IMPR, created systems in response to Hurricane Maria five years ago that remain in place. Right now, the IMPR will need funds to respond to the disaster (you may donate directly here or send funds to the Missouri Annual Conference). In the coming weeks, IMPR may ask for volunteers to help clean and rebuild affected areas. For updates, follow Rehace on Facebook at at ReHace IMPR or this website.

Glorymar Rivera Báez, Executive Director at Rehace, Inc. shared that they have requested a solidarity grant from GBGM and hoping to assess once the storm has passed.

"There are a lot of flooded areas, mudslides, and landslides with over 2,300 refugees and counting," said Rivera Báez. "More heavy rains is expected today and tomorrow. It has been reported that flooded areas and the amount of rain in some municipalities has been bigger than [what was experienced during] Hurricane Maria."

Congregations are asked to focus on the following mission and service efforts:

PRAY. Pray for the people of affected areas and first responders and agencies managing damage assessment. Search Discipleship Ministries for worship resources during times of natural disaster, including this Communion liturgy appropriate for those celebrating communion.
GIVE. Visit Rehace’s Donor Page or Missouri Disaster Response Online Giving or UMCOR US Disaster Response and Recovery. For paper giving, make checks payable to: Missouri Annual Conference (memo: Puerto Rico) and mail to Missouri Annual Conference, 3601 Amron Ct. Columbia, MO 65202.
LEARN. Visit Missouri Annual Conference’s communication platforms to be informed of immediate needs: www.facebook.com/umcdisaster.