Assistance to Cuba

Palmer Urges Prayer for Storm Victims in Cuba

To the Pastors and People of The United Methodist Church in the United States:

Storms continue to leave tragedy and challenging rebuilding across the United States and in other nations. Through UMCOR, and other denominational and ecumenical partnerships, efforts are being made to offer assistance immediately and in the long term.

The Methodist Church of Cuba, its leaders and people, and their fellow citizens, are the focus of this letter to you. They have been devastated by the recent storms named Gustav and Ike. The 243 congregations with nearly 20,000 members are engaged in cooperative relief efforts.

Because of U.S. government policies, in particular the 2006 year action of non-renewal of a license to the General Board of Global Ministries, reported recently in our church press, we have not been able to send funds into Cuba. Other denominations have also lost their licenses.

As President of the Council of Bishops, I write to you asking:

That you pray to our God in Jesus Christ, that our sisters and brothers in Cuba have the strength to withstand these storm ravaged weeks and are enabled to recover their lives, property and continue their witness of the gospel.
That you make response to any appeals which UMCOR, our agencies, bishops and volunteer coordinating groups may make to advance permitted relief and rehabilitation efforts.
That you be aware of the efforts of the Roman Catholic bishops in the USA in petitioning President Bush, as they wrote, "in light of the devastation and humanitarian disaster caused by recent hurricanes in Cuba and the efforts of extended families, friends and organizations to reach those in need,...(you are urged)... to suspend - even temporarily Treasury and Commerce Department restrictions and licensing requirements for humanitarian travel and remittances by American citizens and assistance by not-for-profit organizations."
That you explore in your congregational learning groups the issues which create these divisions and policies. They tragically prevent the responses we wish to make to the promptings of our hearts and our faith commitments.

With my gratitude for the many ways that your lives and stewardship bring relief and reconciliation across the globe, in the name of Jesus Christ,

Gregory V. Palmer

President, The Council of Bishops

Avenues for Sending Aid to Cuba:

UMCOR has identified 6 organizations operating here in the U.S. which can legally accept contributions from U.S. citizens that can, in turn, send aid to Cuba. UMCOR strongly urges everyone who desires to donate money to do so through any of these groups. Checks should be written to the organization(s) you choose and then mailed to one place so that we can track of the money we have collectively raised as a denomination. Checks will immediately be forwarded to the organizations identified. Please write checks to one of the organizations listed below and then mail checks to: Cuba Hurricane Relief, P.O. Box 53106, Washington, DC 20009. (Note: you can also donate online directly to any of these organizations, or through the Cuba Central site at http://democracyinamericas.org/donate/)

Global Links

Global Links' program of medical aid to Cuba began in 1994 at the request of The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO). This program is a federally licensed humanitarian aid program. Aid sent is received and distributed to health institutions by the PAHO/WHO office in Havana and the Cuban Ministry of Health. Global Links has received a list of requested products from PAHO and is raising funds to purchase and send them to Cuba. (http://www.globallinks.org/where_we_work/cuba/)

Operation USA

Since its inception in September 1998, CMAP has delivered major shipments to pediatric hospitals and other health facilities. Supplies are donated by private companies, hospitals and physicians and are sent to Cuba under license from the U.S.-Departments of Commerce and Treasury. Operation USA is accepting cash contributions to pay for shipping medical supplies to Cuba. (http://www.opusa.org/wherewework/international/cuba/mainpage.html)

MEDICC

MEDICC-Medical Education Cooperation with Cuba, is a non-profit organization working to enhance cooperation among the US, Cuban and global health communities aimed at better health outcomes. MEDICC supports education and development of human resources in health committed to equitable access and quality care, providing the Cuban experience to inform global debate, practice, policies and cooperation in health. MEDICC is seeking financial donations to replenish stocks of key medical reference books lost at the badly damaged Isle of Youth Medical School, where over 2,000 young Cubans study medicine and public health. (http://www.medicc.org/ns/index.php?s=3&p=3)

Catholic Relief Services

Catholic Relief Services has worked with Caritas Cubana, the Catholic Church's relief agency, to provide emergency, humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable and needy people in Cuba since 1993. CRS delivers medicine, medical supplies, food and clothing to Cuba for distribution in hospitals, homes for the elderly, and to children with Down syndrome and other vulnerable groups. CRS is working with Caritas Cubana in the affected areas in infrastructure projects and assistance with access to food, hygiene products and water. (http://crs.org/Cuba/)

Jewish Solidarity

Since 1993, Jewish Solidarity has delivered over 35 tons of me dicine, food and other supplies to Cuba's more than 1500 Jews in Havana and throughout this island nation. They have a humanitarian license that allows them to collect financial donations to then buy the necessary items that are most needed in Cuba. Jewish Solidarity is accepting financial donations to buy medicine, food and other supplies to be distributed in Cuba.

Daughters of Charity

The Daughters of Charity, a non-profit organization based in Miami, Florida, that has been sending humanitarian goods to Cuba since 1994. You can send a check donation so they can buy needed food items and pay the cost of the containers they will be sending to Cuba.

All donations are tax deductible. Please include your name, address and phone number on any mailed donations in order to receive a donation confirmation letter.

Please mail checks to: Cuba Hurricane Relief, P.O. Box 53106, Washington, DC 20009.