People in War-Torn Darfur Need Water!

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1 Title Full Name Street Address Street Address City, State, Zip People in War-Torn Darfur Need Water! Paul Jeffrey / ACT International See How You Can Help.

2 United Methodist Committee on Relief 475 Riverside Drive, Room 330 New York, NY 10115

3 (date) Title Full Name Street Address Street Address City, State, Zip Dear (Preferred Name), I ve been thanking God for water lately. I have to admit, I often take it for granted. But I was vividly reminded once again of how important water is during a recent tour of Sudan, where no one takes fresh water for granted. In this African nation, clean water is hard to come by, particularly in the war-torn region of Darfur. Thousands upon thousands of children and families in Darfur are famished. They are hungry, thirsty, and homeless. They have lost loved ones to violence, and they face the continuing threat of attack. They have every reason to fear for their lives. The picture is bleak, and yet the people of Darfur are not without hope. Thanks to many caring friends like you, UMCOR is there in Darfur providing help for today and hope for the future. Let me quickly summarize how. UMCOR provides safe haven to families that have been forced to flee their homes, managing refugee camps that accommodate 20,000 to 30,000 refugees per site. We are actively and particularly involved in protecting the children of Darfur. We work with local farmers to develop sustainable agriculture, thus providing urgently needed food. (over, please) 475 Riverside Dr., Room 330 New York, NY

4 We are training older teens and young adults in practical job skills. Last but not least, we are engaged in water and sanitation programs that provide the children and families of Darfur much more than a cup of cold water for today. We are refurbishing abandoned wells and surrounding them with concrete flooring and sanitation infrastructure to prevent puddles of stagnant water, thereby reducing disease. Most significantly, UMCOR s water programs in Darfur are a strategic component in helping to restore peace. You see, the war in Darfur, like many wars, is largely about remembered grievances. The fewer the grievances the greater the chance for peace. While we may not be able to address every grievance, we are taking steps to eliminate the violence that has erupted over water. And I think you ll agree that each and every step taken towards peace is a very important step. I d like you to imagine for a moment that a camp for 20,000 refugees popped up in your backyard. You might resent it. To say that this is true in Darfur is an enormous understatement. In Darfur, where hatreds run deep, refugees who often must walk long distances through the countryside to find water have been savagely beaten, even killed, by local residents. But the dangers that previously went hand-in-hand with collecting drinking water for the camps are being eliminated through UMCOR s water programs. How? By retro-fitting old, abandoned wells which are plentiful in Sudan and then situating our refugee camps around these water yards. It s a creative solution that has provided urgently needed drinking water while reducing the dangers for refugees. It s also building bridges between communities as local residents are invited to come into the camps to get safe drinking water for their own needs. Now local residents view the camps not as a menacing threat, but as a great benefit to the host community. UMCOR Sudan is training caretakers from neighboring communities (next page, please)

5 to maintain the water programs. And it s working. UMCOR will provide safe access to clean water for nearly 250,000 people in Darfur. It s a win/win solution to what had been an intractable source of conflict. We support similar water works in several other countries throughout Africa, Latin America and Asia, wherever disaster brings a need for clean water, latrines, sanitation or hygiene. As in Sudan, people in these areas are taught how to preserve their watersheds and maintain their wells and sanitation systems. In short, they learn how to help themselves. What I hope you remember is this: Your giving to UMCOR provides the stuff of life for the most vulnerable people during times of crisis. In God s hands, your gift can bring health, hope and even peace. Please give generously today to help alleviate human suffering through the United Methodist Committee on Relief. With sincere appreciation, Paul Dirdak Deputy General Secretary United Methodist Committee on Relief P.S. Please remember, your gift will help support specialized ministries in fighting hunger and poverty, offering hospitality to refugees and displaced people, and expanding capacity of local responders in a disaster. Our ability to stay as long as it takes to implement longterm recovery in disaster-stricken areas depends on support from friends like you. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

6 Be There. Be Hope. YES! I want to help UMCOR bring sustenance, health, hope and stability to children and families who have been devastated by war, disaster and excruciating poverty. Enclosed is my gift of: $XX $XX $XX Other $ Paul Jeffrey / UMCOR Your gift today will help support specialized ministries in fighting hunger and poverty, offering hospitality to refugees and displaced people, and expanding capacity of local responders in a disaster. Advance #(999895). Mr. John Q. Sample 105 E. Fifth Street Suite 402 Kansas City, Missouri Please make your check payable to UMCOR and return it with this reply card in the envelope provided. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law. Thank you! 475 Riverside Drive, Room 330 New York, NY ID Seg Mailcode Conference Code

7 Paul Jeffrey / ACT International

8 Clear water is hard to find in war-torn Darfur. That s why UMCOR is engaged in desperately needed water and sanitation programs. Thanks to your support, today we are refurbishing abandoned wells and providing women and children with safe drinking water.

9 PLEASE PLACE STAMP HERE. United Methodist Committee on Relief GPO P.O. Box 9068 New York, NY