Disaster Response

Disasters both man-made and natural can emotionally, physically and psychologically overwhelm entire communities. Local businesses may be destroyed, leaving some unemployed, others without access to food or supplies. Insurance may not cover the cost of recovery. Fear of a repeat of the disaster can be paralyzing.

United Methodists have a long history of responding to communities in the midst of disaster though the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), Volunteers-in-Mission (VIM) and conference and district disaster response teams. Known throughout the world as the church that will be there as long as there is a need, United Methodists specialize in helping communities help themselves recover from a disaster.

United Methodists also know that the victims of disaster need more than a helping hand. They also need a helping heart—someone who will listen and offer love and fellowship.

The United Methodist Committee on Relief allocates funds for the relief of people in need. All money donated for disaster response goes directly to the disaster. Support for the administration and infrastructure of UMCOR comes from the annual One Great Hour of Sharing Sunday collection. For more information on the United Methodist Committee on Relief, visit the agency's web site. UMCOR also maintains a 24-hour hotline for information about disasters around the world at (800) 841-1235.

Disaster response in Troy Conference

In Troy Conference, disaster response is coordinated by Hank Coghill. And while traditionally, UMCOR and other disaster response efforts are not among first responders in a disaster, sometimes Troy Conference needs to be there from the beginning, and stay as long as there is a need in the community.

Throughout the year, Troy Conference collects UMCOR kits, which are usually taken down to the North Eastern Jurisdiction's Central Pennsylvania Warehouse in Mechanicsburg, Pa. Supplies include flood buckets, health kits, sewing kits, school kits and any other kit that helps sustain everyday life. For information on making kits, visit UMCOR's web site, Sustaining Everyday Life. Supplies taken to the warehouse in Pennsylvania are distributed where needed.

As a long-term member of the New York State Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), Troy serves with response groups from thecumenical and secular world, including federal and state emergency management agencies, the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and representatives from the American Baptist, Southern Baptist, Mennonite, Church of Christ, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Church World Service, Presbyterian and Catholic churches as well as from the United Jewish Federation.

Troy Conference Disaster Response coordinators provide help within the conference boundaries though:

  • Coordinate training of volunteers to work with children traumatized by the disaster
  • Extending pastoral care to people affected by disasters
  • Train caseworkers who will come in and work with disaster victims, including those with special needs such as the elderly, physically disabled or mentally ill
  • Maintaining contact with pastors and churches in the affected area
  • Responding to disaster victims through the periods of emergency, relief and recovery (long term)
  • Providing a link with Volunteers in Mission and UMCOR
  • Linking with other community agencies active in disaster response such as Red Cross, federal and state emergency management agencies, and other church, ecumenical and secular agencies
  • Communicating with the Bishop, Conference staff and Cabinet 

If your church or community experiences a disaster, contact Coghill at (518) 399-5365.

Meet the Disaster Response Coordinator

Hank Coghill has a BA in economics and a master's in Industrial Administration from Union College in Schenectady, N.Y. After a stint in the Marines  as a weather forecaster, Coghill went to work for General Electric's Research and Development Center as a specialist in physics, and later worked in human relations. He has been married to his wife, Jean, for 48 years, and the couple have two children, daughter Lynn, and son, Hal. A member of Burnt Hills United Methodist Church, N.Y., Coghill has served as a Trustee, on the Administrative Council, Discipleship, Finance and Staff-Pastor Parish Relations committees, as well as head usher and a Sunday school teacher. At the confrence level, he has served on Equitable Compensation and Personnel committees and the Council on Finance and Administration. He is a recipient of the Denman Evangelism Award.