READING, England — The UBS Rapid Response Reserve, a fund established for the provision of Scriptures in emergency situations, will be used to come to the aid of people affected by hurricane Pauline. The UBS has agreed to support a Bible Society of Mexico (BSM) proposal to provide 1,089,500 Scriptures to those who have suffered in the wake of hurricane Pauline, which ravaged the south-west coast of Mexico in October this year.

Considered to be the strongest to hit Mexico in 20 years, the hurricane struck Puerto Escondido in Oaxaca state on October 6 and moved north causing extensive damage and loss of life over the next few days, particularly in Acapulco, before losing momentum.

“Numerous people have been made homeless, or have suffered the loss of a relative or friend,” said BSM Director, Dr Alejandro Ruiz Muñoz. “Most of these people have no means to rebuild their houses.” In some cases, he added, whole areas of shanty-town dwellings have been covered in mud. 

The BSM is assisting the churches in bringing aid to the homeless and to those worst affected by this disaster. “We responded immediately to the situation by providing churches with the Scriptures they requested,” said Mr Ruiz. “We supplied churches in Acapulco with 422,090 Scriptures, of which about 2,700 were Bibles and New Testaments. But we cannot bear the cost of this project without some help,” he added.

The BSM has its own production capacity, and some of these Scriptures are being produced specially to meet the specific needs of those who have suffered loss. A total of one million Selections is being printed and distributed among those who have been affected by the tragedy. Hospitals and temporary lodgements will be visited by volunteers taking 80,000 Bible Portions.

Some 8,000 New Testaments will be earmarked for families who have lost their homes or had them badly damaged, and 1,500 Bibles will be made available to anyone affected by the disaster who demonstrates a positive interest in reading God’s Word.

The Bible Society aims to participate in church programs where food, water, clothing, and medicines are being distributed. In consultation with organisers of these church-related programs, and also with hospital auxiliary personnel, church leaders and volunteers, the Bible Society hopes that the Scriptures can be made available in the most meaningful way.

“God speaks to people in crisis, and in crisis people turn to God. They need spiritual, and not just material support,” said Steven Downey, UBS Communications Director, who himself worked for a time in Mexico. “It is important for us as a fellowship to be able to support any Bible Society member facing a difficulty, and in this case an obvious disaster. The Rapid Response Reserve was set up for just such a crisis, and we are releasing US $30,000 for this vital project.”