A meeting of the regional team of the Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM) and Child Sponsorship, with representatives from all over South America, was held in Rio de Janeiro from 13-15 July.
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Philippines, along with the disaster response team from the Bicol District, provided immediate help for families forced to evacuate due to the threat of the Mayon Volcano eruption. The relief operation was carried out on 28 June 2023.
Through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, the Church of the Nazarene is responding to the needs of thousands of migrants from different countries who are passing through Honduras.
The Church of the Nazarene is actively responding in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic after Hurricane Fiona caused destruction on both islands in September. The hurricane, with winds of 140 kilometers per hour (87 mph), caused heavy flooding in southwestern Puerto Rico.
Sublime Gracia Church of the Nazarene in Costa Rica has doubled its efforts to bring relief to some Venezuelan migrants who are in the country’s capital. Members of the church along with Nazarene Compassionate Ministries delivered more than 200 personal hygiene kits, clothing, and food.
In response to the food insecurity crisis in Ukraine, Nazarene Compassionate Ministries has partnered with four Nazarene churches in Ukraine to collect goods, assemble them, and distribute food packages that will feed 1,000 families each month for the next six months.
Over the course of 48 hours, the Appalachian mountain region of eastern Kentucky received 8-10½ inches of rain, which overwhelmed 20 waterways that span 60 miles, causing massive flooding and impacting more than 100,000 people in multiple counties.
Three months into the war in eastern Europe, Nazarenes have responded compassionately to those who have been displaced and are seeking refuge both within Ukraine and around the globe.
The South American Region hosted the first conference on displaced persons 17-20 March in Bogota, Colombia. A total of 36 participants attended the meeting with representatives from all 10 countries of the region.
The number of Ukrainians who have fled the country now exceeds two million. Many describe the struggles they face, either within Ukraine or as they flee the country. Amid such crisis and uncertainty, Nazarene workers continue to serve the people around them.
