http://ncm.org/ The latest press releases from Nazarene Compassionate Ministries. en dronquillo@nazarene.org Copyright 2013 2013-04-25T16:32:23+00:00 http://ncm.org/news/press/world_malaria_day/ http://ncm.org/news/press/world_malaria_day/#When:16:32:23Z In emergencies in Mozambique, mosquito netting tops the list of essential supplies needed for immediate relief. Along with water purification solution, hygiene kits, maize flour, and clothing, Nazarene Compassionate Ministries recently distributed 1,000 insecticide-treated mosquito nets in the country’s southern districts, where heavy December and February rainfall caused severe flooding, forcing more than 170,000 people from their homes. Malaria, spread by mosquitoes, is endemic throughout Mozambique and remains the nation’s major health concern and cause of death. In some areas of the country, 90 percent of children under the age of 5 are infected with malaria parasites. And while the risk of contracting malaria is year-round, it increases in the rainy season between December and April, when flooding displaces families, leaving them without the protection of shelter. 2013-04-25T16:32:23+00:00 http://ncm.org/news/press/world_water_day/ http://ncm.org/news/press/world_water_day/#When:15:12:54Z Under a warm Zimbabwe sun, leafy green shoots push toward the sky in neat rows, ringed by members of Harare’s Kambuzuma neighborhood. The community is celebrating a fresh crop—one that means food security is within reach. It’s only possible because, for the first time, they have consistent access to clean water. In 2012, NCM was able to dig a well in Kambuzuma, piloting its first urban water project in Zimbabwe. This well now provides clean water for the community’s domestic needs and makes it possible to grow vegetables at the local Child Development Center. After the center’s 40 children—many of whom have been orphaned—are fed, the local Nazarene church sells the remaining crops to support their members in need. And because the well has a 5,000-liter reservoir, water will continue to be available to the community, even during power outages. 2013-03-25T15:12:54+00:00 http://ncm.org/news/press/humanitarian_crisis_in_mozambique/ http://ncm.org/news/press/humanitarian_crisis_in_mozambique/#When:16:52:53Z Incessant rain caused significant flooding in the Zambezi region of Mozambique, Africa, in the last two weeks, killing at least 55 residents and displacing 170,000 as of Thursday. Cosmos Mutowa, Nazarene Compassionate Ministries/Helping Hands Africa regional coordinator, said countless individuals are without homes, shelter, and food. “We are appealing for assistance to meet some of the needs,” he said. “[Supplies needed] are tents, blankets, and nets for mosquitos, rehabilitation of latrines, and water sources and other peripheral needs.” 2013-02-01T16:52:53+00:00 http://ncm.org/news/press/hurricane_sandy_rebuilding_efforts_begin/ http://ncm.org/news/press/hurricane_sandy_rebuilding_efforts_begin/#When:22:46:31Z Four hours. That’s the longest period for which residents of New Jersey’s hardest-hit Hurricane Sandy areas are allowed to return to their homes these days. In places like Port Norris, the visits are scheduled; in the disaster zone, it’s residents only, and each resident may only carry one suitcase. Eleven days after Hurricane Sandy hit New Jersey, Maggie* still had not been back to her home. Driving around her neighborhood in search of help, she noticed the work trailers of a crew mucking out another house. Hoping for some advice, Maggie approached the team. 2012-12-06T22:46:31+00:00 http://ncm.org/news/press/stand_up_for_life_with_world_aids_day_on_december_1/ http://ncm.org/news/press/stand_up_for_life_with_world_aids_day_on_december_1/#When:17:39:11Z You can live with HIV. But few in Twopiece Khumalo’s community in Luve, Swaziland believed it before 2007. Afraid of the AIDS diagnosis and the stigma that came with it, many refused to be tested; those who were confirmed as HIV positive hid away with their secret. Without treatment, they were, as Khumalo remembers, “dying like flies.” In 2007, four people came together for training to become the new Nazarene HIV/AIDS Taskforce and began door-to-door visits within the community.  They checked on their neighbors regularly, caring for the sick and initiating a support group for those living with HIV and AIDS. The group leaders spoke openly about the realities of the diagnosis, emphasizing that life with the virus was still possible. 2012-11-30T17:39:11+00:00 http://ncm.org/news/press/churches_partner_with_neighbors_to_give_more_on_day_of_thanks/ http://ncm.org/news/press/churches_partner_with_neighbors_to_give_more_on_day_of_thanks/#When:16:09:11Z Now imagine a gaggle of oblong parcels shrink-wrapped in shiny blue and white, yellow and brown, red and gold packaging, all piled against the wall of a multipurpose space like multicolored footballs. These two scenes were part of last week’s activities at The Word in Action International Ministries, Inc., a Nazarene church and compassionate ministry that operates in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This year they distributed holiday staples to more than 900 families on Thanksgiving, and when they ran out of turkeys, they continued to give away chicken, veal, and ham, along with a variety of boxed and canned goods. On Thanksgiving day the organization served a record 75 meals, many to newcomers to The Word in Action. 2012-11-30T16:09:11+00:00 http://ncm.org/news/press/hurricane_sandy_many_poor_and_elderly_still_without_electricity/ http://ncm.org/news/press/hurricane_sandy_many_poor_and_elderly_still_without_electricity/#When:17:27:50Z Three weeks after Hurricane Sandy turned much of the northeastern USA upside down, the infrastructure is beginning to return in increments. Transit lines are slowly reopening. Many people now have electricity. Heat is being restored. However, while many people have electricity this doesn’t guarantee that they have functioning heating units. Many of the heating units were destroyed in the flooding and need to be replaced immediately as winter is right around the corner. 2012-11-26T17:27:50+00:00 http://ncm.org/news/press/hurricane_sandy_aid_distribution_struggles_to_meet_demand/ http://ncm.org/news/press/hurricane_sandy_aid_distribution_struggles_to_meet_demand/#When:14:25:34Z The damaging floodwaters have receded, but with power still down, communication limited and more than 110 dead, residents of the northeastern United States are struggling to cope with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. The line of people waiting for assistance extends around the block at Community Church of the Nazarene in Far Rockaway, New York, now home to four aid groups and hundreds of volunteers. 2012-11-16T14:25:34+00:00 http://ncm.org/news/press/hurricane_sandy_your_urgent_help_is_needed/ http://ncm.org/news/press/hurricane_sandy_your_urgent_help_is_needed/#When:16:34:57Z With almost 100 people dead, countless homes destroyed, power still down, and public transportation limited, many living in the northeastern United States are still strongly experiencing the effects of Hurricane Sandy. 2012-11-05T16:34:57+00:00 http://ncm.org/news/press/disaster_update_hurricane_sandy/ http://ncm.org/news/press/disaster_update_hurricane_sandy/#When:17:12:46Z As Hurricane Sandy pounds the eastern coast of the United States, the damage has already been extensive. About 60 million people have been affected by the “superstorm,” so-called due to the meeting of a hurricane and a cold front. Millions are currently without power, and there has been extensive flooding. Over 80 lives have been lost due to the storm. The effects have been felt as far west as the Great Lakes, where waves as high as 30 feet are expected as a result of Sandy.  2012-10-29T17:12:46+00:00