Domestic Disaster Response & Preparedness
Photo: Craig Thompson, Disciple Design
When disasters strike, Week of Compassion is here to help--before, during, and after.
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 Volunteering and other partners, Week of Compassion also supports opportunities for Disciples to offer hands-on assistance.
Learn more about our ongoing responses below, or click here to prepare for disasters.
Learn more about our ongoing responses below, or click here to prepare for disasters.
Hurricane Florence: North Carolina4/19/2019 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. How Disciples are Involved:
Local Partners: 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: We continue to work closely with the Regional Office and Regional Disaster Task Force to support congregational involvement through informational and financial resources. With National Benevolent Association, we are helping provide workshops on emotional, spiritual, and mental health for clergy and recovery leaders in our congregations. 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). Disciples Volunteering is assessing the possibilities for a mission station and referrals for volunteers to assist with repair and rebuild, potentially in cooperation with Camp Caroline. 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: Stay tuned for details about volunteer opportunities. 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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