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 suspended or restricted their volunteer disaster recovery operations. Week of Compassion recommends against volunteer teams traveling for the time being. Volunteers responding to local disasters should use caution and heed the guidance of public health officials.
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 and respond. 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, or click here to prepare for disasters.
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 and respond. 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, or click here to prepare for disasters.
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ONGOING RESPONSES
Hurricanes Laura and Delta, Louisiana Derecho, Iowa Tornadoes, Tennessee Tropical Storm Imelda, Texas Tornadoes, Ohio* Tornadoes, Missouri Flooding, Oklahoma and Midwest US 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. Hurricane Sally West Coast Fires COVID-19 |
Hurricane Florence: North Carolina9/14/2018 updated: 01/08/2021 Event Summary: On September 14, 2018, Hurricane Florence made landfall along the North Carolina coast, just north of the border between the Carolinas. For the next several days, the storm lingered over the region, causing catastrophic flooding, including prolonged significant river flooding. The federal disaster declaration included 34 counties, the majority of which were also in the impact zone of Hurricane Matthew just two years before. volunteerHow Disciples are Involved:
Local Contacts: Christian Church in North Carolina; Camp Caroline; local Long-Term Recovery Groups; Church World Service Early Response: In collaboration with the Regional Office, Week of Compassion provided informational resources to congregations in advance of and following the hurricane. We supported the work of the Regional Disaster Task Force, including pastoral care for local congregations and the creation, acquisition, and distribution of disaster clean-up kits and school kits in collaboration with our partner, Church World Service. Week of Compassion provided solidarity grants to 53 households and 12 congregations, as well as to both camps in the region (Christmount Conference and Retreat Center and Camp Caroline). We provided additional support to Christmount Conference and Retreat Center, as they sheltered approximately 100 evacuees, some for several weeks. Ongoing Engagement: In partnership with Camp Caroline, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in North Carolina, and the Pamlico County Disaster Recovery Coalition, we are supporting home repair efforts in Pamlico County (see "Volunteer" below). We continue to work with the Regional Office and Regional Disaster Task Force to support congregational involvement through informational and financial resources. Support for local long-term recovery groups continues through direct grants to support repair and rebuild efforts and through organizational consultation (in collaboration with Brethren Disaster Ministries and the Disaster Ministries of the United Church of Christ). We also continue to support the work of our partners at Church World Service, as they provide administrative services to long-term recovery groups and work to address needs of immigrant and refugee communities affected by the storm. How to Help: Volunteer: With COVID-19 precautions in place, volunteer opportunities continue in Pamlico County. Volunteers groups can work directly with the Pamlico County Disaster Recovery Coalition, with housing at Camp Caroline; click over to Camp Caroline’s information page. You can also contact Casey Perry, Camp Manager: caseysperry2[at]gmail.com Give to Week of Compassion: Designate “Hurricanes” Pray: Continue to pray for the people of North Carolina and our Week of Compassion partners. Advocate: Recent research has shown clear evidence that disasters tend to exacerbate wealth inequalities within and between communities. Advocate for long-term recovery investments that address existing inequalities and have measures in place to promote equity in recovery. Watch our social media feed for photos, stories, and updates about this recovery. Comments are closed.
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