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, volunteers should use caution, heed the guidance of public health officials, and pay close attention to protocols required before and while serving. All Week of Compassion volunteers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before serving.
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.
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.
You can also find volunteer opportunities or learn how to prepare for disasters.
You can also find volunteer opportunities or learn how to prepare for disasters.
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Request print copies via [email protected]
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ONGOING RESPONSES
Wildfires - Hawai'i Tornadoes/Severe storms (2023) - AR Tornado (2023) - Texas Tornadoes (2023) - MS, AL, and GA Severe Storms/Flooding (2023) - California Wildfires (2022) - New Mexico and California Hurricane Ian (2022) - Florida Hurricane Fiona (2022) - Puerto Rico* Flooding (2022) - Kentucky* Tornado Outbreak (2021) - Kentucky* Hurricane Ida (2021) - Louisiana, Gulf Coast, East Coast West Coast Fires (2020) - California & Oregon Hurricane Florence (2018) - North Carolina* Hurricanes Irma & Maria (2017) - Puerto Rico* Hurricane Harvey (2017) - Texas |
EMERGING RESPONSES
Week of Compassion is in conversation with local churches and partners in areas where disasters are ongoing or have recently occurred. As needs are emerging, we are assessing potential for response. Tornadoes (2024) - Southern Plains/Midwest U.S. Wildfires (2024) - Texas Tornadoes (2023) - Tennessee |
* volunteer opportunities available, with COVID-19 precautions
Flooding7/24/2022 2022 - eastern Kentuckyupdated 08/17/2023 A week of extreme rains in Eastern Kentucky led to catastrophic flooding across 20 counties, destroying roads, bridges, buildings, and homes. Tens of thousands of Kentuckians have registered for federal assistance. While we do not have active congregations in the most affected areas, Disciples are responding through partners and planning for long-term re. - Federal disaster declaration- DR-4663-KY Read more about how Disciples are involved AND how you can help! HOW DISCIPLES ARE INVOLVED
Local Contacts: Christian Church in Kentucky, First Christian Church Pikeville, Kentucky VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster), Local Long-Term Recovery Groups, Appalachian Service Project (ASP), Housing Development Alliance (HDA) Early Response: Week of Compassion provided assistance through the Regional office and Disciples Appalachian Scholarship Ministry. Week of Compassion staff also worked to connect partners with resources and assistance information. Ongoing Engagement: We are in conversation with ecumenical partners about long-term needs. Week of Compassion has provided grants to several local long-term recovery groups to help organize recovery efforts, including the organization in Pike County (in collaboration with FCC Pikeville). We have volunteer referrals active with ASP and HDA. HOW TO HELP Volunteer: We have two referrals for volunteer opportunities. Find more info here. Give to Week of Compassion: Designate US Storms Pray: Continue to pray for those affected by the floods and for our Week of Compassion partners. Advocate: The flooding affected many areas plagued by poverty and the environmental impacts of coal mining. Advocate for adequate resources to assist poor communities and households recover and for recovery plans that help restore the land. Comments are closed.
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