Frequently Asked Questions
Glossary:
- UMCOR – United Methodist Committee on Relief
- USB – UMCOR Sager Brown
- NGO – Non-Governmental Organization
1. What are the different kits that are shipped?
2. Who decides what goes into each kit?
3. Why do the kits have to have exactly what is on the list?
4. What types of things do people send that you can’t use?
5. Why can’t we put more things in?
6. What does “verification” mean?
7. What about other items – can you use them?
8. How do you decide where to send materials overseas?
9. Who receives the kits overseas and how are they distributed?
10. Why do you put sample boxes in the shipments?
11. You keep mentioning overseas shipments. Do you ever ship in the United States?
12. I thought there were other United Methodist depots around the United States that gather and distribute relief supplies.
13. Contents of all the relief kits. Each kit contains lists of specific items needed, the cost for processing and shipping the kit, shipping instructions, and contact information.
What are the different kits that are shipped?
UMCOR Sager Brown currently ships six different kits: bedding kit, cleaning bucket (formerly called flood bucket), health kit, layette kit, school kit and sewing kit. Individuals, congregations and conferences can assemble kits to send or send items for kits in bulk. It is important that the kits be assembled exactly as specified.
Who decides what goes into each kit?
In cooperation with Church World Service and other international relief organizations, the kit contents are specified. Both the contents of the kit and its packaging are important. For example, health kits are put into one gallon plastic bags so that they can be given to recipients intact and undamaged.
Why do the kits have to have exactly what is on the list?
The best way to summarize it: more is not better and too little is not enough. It is very important that each person receive the same things in the kit. By having the exact items, we can also show a ‘sample kit’ to customs officials and ensure them that all the kits are the same to ease entry into the country.
What types of things do people send that you can’t use?
Sometimes people include money, notes, printed material and other items in kits that have to be removed. All items must be new. Each kit has to be opened and checked so that it meets the standards exactly. In school and sewing kits, we cannot include items that are patriotic or have logos that may cause problems in the receivers’ community.
Why can’t we put more things in?
All kits must have identical items to avoid any concerns between recipients and to fulfill customs requirements.
What does “verification” mean?
Opening the kits to make sure they include the proper items.
What about other items – can you use them?
The Depot can also use large quantities of bulk items. Check the Relief Supplies section of the web site for the most current needs, or contact the Depot directly.
How do you decide where to send materials overseas?
In-kind (non-cash) donations provided by USB are an important resource for programs along with U.S. Government and other grants. The NGO unit of UMCOR uses the donated materials to leverage funds and implement current and new programs in countries where it operates. In some instances, the in-kind donation becomes an integral part of the program once funding has been approved and UMCOR is obligated to meet this in-kind requirement. Currently, the NGO unit has in-kind obligations for programs implemented in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia (funded by the U. S. Department of State, Office of the Coordinator of U.S. Assistance to Europe and Eurasia, - EUR/ACE) and Sudan (funded by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration). Because of this in-kind obligation, the above countries are prioritized when determining the destination of the donated goods. However, if there is surplus material at USB, UMCOR aims to ensure that each country office receives at least one shipment of goods per year to complement current programs underway. UMCOR’s field offices decide the amount and type of goods needed.
UMCOR is constantly developing proposals in order to secure funding to continue the implementation of programs in countries where it operates and uses the donated goods as a way to leverage more funding. In addition, some grant applications – as noted above - have a matching requirement and UMCOR utilizes the donated goods provided by USB as contribution to match requested funds.
Who receives the kits overseas and how are they distributed?
Priority is given to programs that have an in-kind obligation. Within each program, beneficiaries are identified based on vulnerability and need. UMCOR selects beneficiaries within the refugees, returnees, Internally Displaced People (IDPs), asylums, orphans, children from institutions/boarding schools, and the elderly and disabled communities.
Once donated goods are received overseas, UMCOR staff clear the shipment from customs and transport it to UMCOR warehouses. From the warehouses, commodities are transported to institutions and facilities for distribution to selected beneficiaries based on a distribution plan. Depending on the program, distributions take place either on a regular or one-time basis.
In addition, UMCOR conducts emergency distributions for populations in remote areas affected by heavy snow, flood, drought or war.
Why do you put sample boxes in the shipments?
In order to facilitate the process of clearing a container from customs, UMCOR field offices request that sample boxes be included with the container so customs officials can more easily verify what is being shipped. This way, only the sample box will be opened expediting customs clearance upon arrival of the container.
You keep mentioning overseas shipments. Do you ever ship in the United States?
Oh, yes. Cleaning buckets are sent routinely to areas of the US that are affected. After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, UMCOR Sager Brown became a hub for materials distribution to Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. In fact, as a result of that experience, the inventory system and loading dock was upgraded to respond to future domestic disasters.
There are other depots managed by several conferences around the US. Often, a conference considers opening a depot or warehouse after they have been affected by a disaster in their area, and they need a place to store items for cleanup and rebuilding. UMCOR Sager Brown and UMCOR West are the only UMCOR-owned depots. UMCOR does have both formal and informal relationships with the other depots in the US, and is always ready to work with conferences on the collection and distribution of material resources.
See photos and statements of gratitude from kit recipients outside the United States.
