Domestic Disaster Response & Preparedness
Photo: Craig Thompson, Disciple Design
When disasters strike, Week of Compassion is here to help:
before, during, and after.
In order to protect volunteers and communities we serve during the COVID-19 pandemic, many of our partners have limited their volunteer disaster recovery operations. Volunteers should use caution, heed the guidance of public health officials, and pay close attention to protocols required on site and prior to serving. If volunteering is not a safe option for you right now, we encourage you to take this time to prepare for future mission opportunities by 1) becoming more disaster-ready as a household or congregation; 2) developing your skills in home repair; and 3) advocating for local, state, and federal policies that promote adequate and equitable disaster recovery.
Week of Compassion offers resources and training opportunities to help congregations prepare for and respond to disasters. Immediately following disasters in the United States and Canada, Week of Compassion works through local congregations and regions to provide guidance, connections, and resources for navigating disaster response. We invest the majority of our disaster response resources in long-term recovery, primarily for the purpose of repairing and rebuilding homes. In coordination with Disciples and ecumenical partners, Week of Compassion also supports opportunities for Disciples to offer hands-on assistance.
Learn more about our ongoing responses below; click here for volunteer opportunities; or click here to prepare for disasters.
Week of Compassion offers resources and training opportunities to help congregations prepare for and respond to disasters. Immediately following disasters in the United States and Canada, Week of Compassion works through local congregations and regions to provide guidance, connections, and resources for navigating disaster response. We invest the majority of our disaster response resources in long-term recovery, primarily for the purpose of repairing and rebuilding homes. In coordination with Disciples and ecumenical partners, Week of Compassion also supports opportunities for Disciples to offer hands-on assistance.
Learn more about our ongoing responses below; click here for volunteer opportunities; or click here to prepare for disasters.
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ONGOING RESPONSES
Hurricanes Sally and Zeta, Alabama West Coast Fires (2020) Hurricanes Laura and Delta, Louisiana* Derecho, Iowa Tornadoes, Tennessee Tropical Storm Imelda, Texas Tornadoes, Ohio* Hurricane Michael, Florida Hurricane Florence, North Carolina* Carr Fire and Camp Fire, California Hurricanes Irma & Maria, Puerto Rico Hurricane Irma, Florida Hurricane Harvey, Texas *limited volunteer opportunities available, with COVID-19 precautions
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EMERGING RESPONSES Week of Compassion is in conversation with local churches and partners in these areas where disasters are ongoing or have recently occurred. As needs are emerging, we are assessing potential avenues for response. 2021 Wildfires Kentucky Flooding Winter Storm (Feb. 2021) COVID-19 |
Earthquakes, Puerto Rico1/7/2020 updated: 08/03/2020 Event Summary: From late December 2019 through January 2020, the southwest part of Puerto Rico experienced a series of earthquakes of varying strength and severity. Among the most damaging were a 4.7 quake on Dec. 28, a 6.4 shock on Jan. 7, and a 5.2 quake on Jan. 15, with many, smaller tremors between. The quakes damaged hundreds of structures, including several schools, and thousands of people evacuated their homes, uncertain of the safety of the buildings (roughly 6,000 individuals were in official and unofficial shelters/encampments as of Jan 21). The tremors damaged a power plant and portions of the electrical grid, causing power outages--some prolonged--across much of the island. Given the continued aftershocks and the recent trauma of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, emotional, psychological, and spiritual health are of great concern. How Disciples are Involved:
Local Contacts: Iglesia Cristiana (Discipulos de Cristo) en Puerto Rico, especially local congregations in Ponce and Guayanilla; Puerto Rico VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster); Brethren Disaster Ministries/Children's Disaster Services Early Response: Disciples in Puerto Rico coordinated collection and distribution of needed supplies through the Centro Cristiano, meeting needs identified at the local congregations in Ponce and Guayanilla. The church in Ponce regularly fed several hundred individuals, including evacuees and responders. They have also been attending to physical and mental, emotional, and spiritual health of their neighbors. The church in Guayanilla provided shelter for more than 3 dozen evacuees. Disciples have coordinated with mental health professionals and chaplains to provide immediate care for those traumatized by the quakes. We are in conversation with local Disciples and our partners at Children's Disaster Services about how to support children who are out of school because of damage to school buildings. Ongoing Engagement: We will continue to support the efforts of Disciples in Puerto Rico, including providing training for pastors to recognize and help address psychological and emotional responses to trauma. We are also in conversation with partners through PR VOAD about addressing long-term needs. How to Help: Volunteer: Stay tuned for details about volunteer opportunities, or register a volunteer ambassador group through the Programa Edifiquemos to continue supporting hurricane recovery as other resources shift to earthquake response. Give to Week of Compassion: Designate “Earthquakes” Pray: Continue to pray for those affected by the earthquakes and for our Week of Compassion partners. Advocate: Call for sufficient and timely resources from the Commonwealth and Federal Governments. Watch our social media feed for photos, stories, and updates about this recovery. Comments are closed.
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