Get Ready: Three Humanitarian Crises Are Expected to Worsen in 2023

Crisis Watch Jan. 4, 2023

by

During the Dec. 17, 2022 Weekend Edition Saturday broadcast, NPR's Scott Simon spoke to David Miliband, president and CEO of the International Rescue Committee, about the group's watchlist of humanitarian crises for the coming year. Miliband identified top situations for which United Methodists can prepare now.

Miliband said that his organization drew on 67 different data sources to choose its top 20 crisis areas. Of these, the IRC identified five countries of most concern: Somalia, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Yemen, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. "And these 20 countries on the watchlist represent 90% of total humanitarian need," Miliband told Simon.

Miliband said IRC's research also shows three key areas where "we can turn the tide."

"One, we have to break the cycle that leads from food insecurity to famine," he said. "Second, we have to protect civilians better in conflicts, and we have a suggestion about how to combat the climate of fear that prevents NGOs and the U.N. speaking out against governments that are abusing the rights of their own citizens. And thirdly, we have to manage global risks like pandemics, like the climate crisis, in a far more effective way."

The United Methodist Church's connectional system gives an advantage to its humanitarian ministries when compared to Miliband's assessment of why the world needs to address these issues.

"Yes. I mean, obviously there are problems at home, and all politics is local," Miliband told Simon according to the interview transcript. "But this is a connected world today. Risks are global. We learned that in the pandemic. We can learn that from the climate crisis. And our point is that there's a moral reason why we shouldn't let people starve in Somalia or in Ethiopia when we know we can stop that starvation. But it's also a strategic point that if the world continues to believe that while risks are global, resilience can just be done nation by nation, we're going to fail."

United Methodists know Miliband's perspective firsthand. Each time something affects a region where the UMC is present – and that's nearly half the world – faithful members immediately respond with monetary gifts to the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Then the UMC follows up through prompt disaster response and ongoing work teams to help rebuild. As the UMC contracts institutionally due to disaffiliations, support remains strong for UMCOR and other missional priorities that meet needs in both crisis and long-term situations.

Miliband's organization proposes the creation of an international resource commission that could offset the climate of fear pervading global aid response.

"Yeah, the climate of fear that I'm referring to is that for aid organizations, for U.N. officials, they're in countries which are very, very sensitive to criticism and where aid is being denied to civilians," Miliband said. "We propose, for example, the creation of an independent office for the protection and promotion of humanitarian access that could speak without fear or favor to those governments and non- state actors who are preventing the delivery of aid."

Once again, the United Methodist connectional system springs to mind as the kind of resource the IRC is seeking. UMCOR works in partnership with local aid agencies, providing money and supplies that local activists distribute. The same is true of similar efforts set up by local churches; for a good example see E. Julu Swen's article on the mission outreach of S. T. Nagbe UMC in Monrovia, Liberia.

In any event, concerned United Methodists who seek to embody Christ's love for all should pay more attention to the world's trouble spots identified by the IRC. United Methodist Insight has set up online searches to bring frequent updates on the situations in the IRC's top crisis countries. For more information on United Methodist domestic and international missions, visit the websites of UMCOR and the General Board of Global Ministries.

Add a creation care resolution to your New Year's goals

Desert Southwest Annual Conference offers a January Eco-Tip:

"Consider adding a commitment to think globally and act locally to your New Year resolutions. One path of action is your shopping list. A shocking 90% of our meat is produced by transnational corporations, mainly on factory farms. Support local farmers, clean air and water, rural communities, and even your own health by seeking out meat from a nearby rancher at a farmers’ market or localharvest.org. By eating out less often, it’s possible to make room in the food budget for high-quality meat, eggs, and poultry that aligns with one’s faith and values.

"Find more tips like this at https://dscumc.org/committee/earth-care/"

Tap into billions of climate-saving incentives

The Washington Post's Shannon Osaka reports that "in 2023, you can electrify your home — and your car — with the help of the U.S. government." She cites:

  • Heat pumps; "the best choice for decarbonizing at home."
  • Electric vehicles; "top choice for cutting car emissions."
  • Rooftop solar; "the best choice for generating clean energy."

The most important thing to know, according to expert Sage Briscoe of Rewiring America, a think tank, "is whether you qualify for the upfront discounts for low- and moderate-income Americans — which won’t be available until later in 2023 — or the tax credits, which became available Jan. 1." Ms. Briscoe suggests trying this tool to determine eligibility. "And, she warned, it is not always going to be easy: It can be hard to find the right installers and the right information for how to make use of all the available government resources," Osaka writes.

Be sure to read the full article to get all the details.

Meanwhile, United Women in Faith and the Breathe Again Collaborative are calling for United Methodists to urge the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to finalize a proposed methane rule. "Methane is a potent climate-warming gas that can also harm the health of our families and communities. The proposed rule would strengthen monitoring and other protections to help ensure everyone’s right to clean air." says the UWF email. "Take two minutes to support clean air and learn more at this link: https://p2a.co/sXHm6sT"

Conferences, agencies working on anti-racism

Racism may have ebbed a bit as a headline story, but United Methodists are still working to eliminate the scourge of racial discrimination. Events are occurring in annual conferences and church-wide agencies to encourage anti-racism, especially as the denomination approaches Human Relations Sunday on Jan. 15 to mark the Jan. 16 birthdate of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

Northern Illinois Annual Conference's Anti-Racism Task Force will hold a Civil Rights Pilgrimage April 26 - May 1, 2023 to mark, among other things, the 60th anniversary of the bombing of 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala., which killed four young Black girls September 15, 1963. "This is not a sightseeing tour," says the task force's announcement. "It is a historical and educational tour designed with intent and discernment to help journey-goers take action against racism. We will visit important sites in the struggle for civil rights in Nashville, Birmingham, Montgomery, Selma, and Memphis. Seating is limited and will be first come, first served. Each day will include a debriefing session. The expectation is that participants will educate and advocate for anti-racism in their churches and communities. Click Here to find out more and fill out an interest form

From Eastern Pennsylvania Conference: "The Rev. Dennis L. Blackwell, pastor of Asbury Community UMC, Woodlynne, NJ, invites all churches to join Feb. 1 in a National Day of Prayer and Fasting to End Violence in Black American Communities.  On behalf of Black Methodists for a Better Future, Blackwell, a member of the UMC’s Judicial Council, calls on churches to meet for prayer onsite or via zoom at noon or another designated time to pray to God for a peaceful end to gun violence, especially in Black communities. He further encourages churches to meet for prayer every month on first Wednesdays."

United Women in Faith will present a "School-to-Prison Pipeline Bible Study: A Virtual 'Sampler'" led by Pastor Janelle Gayle at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesdays Jan. 18, Jan. 25, and Feb. 1. The school-to-prison pipeline is an example of institutional racism where students of color, especially Black students, are punished more harshly for bad behavior and are often funneled into juvenile detention that leads to hard-core crime and prison in adulthood. Learn more and register here.

The General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR) has awarded $325,614 in grants to 38 projects that will "increase intercultural competency and support vital conversations about race, cultural diversity, and systemic equity leading to action. The transformative initiatives supported through these grants will have far-reaching impacts both within the United Methodist Church and throughout the world." Funding for these grants comes from the annual Special Sunday offerings that are part of Human Relations Day observance. Read the full list on the GCORR website

Lest we think that racism only involves discrimination against Blacks, The Marshall Project reports that "antisemitic attacks have reached an all-time high, says the Anti-Defamation League. The group tracked more than 2,700 incidents across the country last year." TMP offered links to other articles about racism: "One Jewish family in Stoneham, Massachusetts, found swastikas on their front lawn and curses and slurs written in marker. THE WASHINGTON POST Antisemitic words were projected onto a building in Orlando, Florida, on New Year’s Eve, police say. CLICKORLANDO.COM Related: More questions about the FBI’s flawed hate crimes reporting system, which experts say perennially undercount hate crimes. NPR"

Media Mentions as of Jan. 5, 2023

Disagreement over LGBTQ issues fuels "disaffiliation" in some MI United Methodist churches – Michigan Radio

National Church Controvery Hits Home - The Sidney Sun-Telegraph

'Good for God's creation:' Menomonee Falls church launches eco-friendly solar project – CBS 58

Livermore church exploring potential tiny home project | News | PleasantonWeekly.com |

Advocates to rally for Warnerville warming center - NEWS10 ABC

Local Methodist churches make major decisions | | itemonline.com - Huntsville

Warnerville warming center to reopen after controversial shutdown - The Daily Gazette

UMC traditionalist group shuts down, sees new denomination as fulfillment of work. – Christian Post

The breakup of the United Methodist Church - The Week

Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011. "Crisis Watch" forms part of Insight's participation in Covering Climate Now, an international collaboration of more than 500 media outlets committed to enhanced reporting on the worldwide climate crisis. To reproduce this content elsewhere, please email Insight for permission.