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
COVID-19 Hurricanes Sally and Zeta, Alabama West Coast Fires (2020) Hurricanes Laura and Delta, Louisiana* Derecho, Iowa Tornadoes, Tennessee Tropical Storm Imelda, Texas Tornadoes, Ohio* VOLUNTEERS NEEDED * 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. December Tornado Outbreak Hurricane Ida 2021 Wildfires Kentucky and Tennessee Flooding Winter Storm (Feb. 2021) |
Hurricane Irma: Florida9/10/2017 updated: 08/15/19 Event Summary: On September 10, 2017, Hurricane Irma made landfall as a Category 4 storm in the Florida Keys before moving up the spine of the peninsula. Nearly 2.5 million households in Florida registered for assistance with FEMA, many of whom had also suffered damage during Hurricane Matthew just 11 months before. How Disciples are Involved:
Local Partners: First Christian Church, Daytona; Volusia Interfaiths/Agencies Networking in Disaster (VIND) Early Response: Week of Compassion provided early support through the Florida Region, offering information and pastoral care. We also provided solidarity grants for 60 households and 17 congregations affected by the storm, as well as the regional church camp: The Retreat at Silver Springs. Ongoing Engagement: Week of Compassion and Disciples Volunteering are working with Volusia Interfaiths/Agencies Networking in Disaster, the local long-term recovery group, which is housed at First Christian Church, Daytona. We continue to provide significant grant funding for the repair of damaged homes and have the site as a referral option for volunteer teams. We also continue to support the efforts of our partners at Church World Service and explore collaborations with ecumenical partners to meet the unique needs of migrant and farm-worker communities in Florida affected by the storm. How to Help: Volunteer: For information about how to volunteer with VIND, visit the Disciples Volunteering “Servants Needed” page and scroll down to Daytona, FL: https://www.discipleshomemissions.org/missions-advocacy/disciples-volunteering/servants-needed/ Give to Week of Compassion: Designate “Hurricanes” Pray: Continue to pray for the people of Florida and our Week of Compassion partners. Advocate: Migrant and farm-worker communities were severely affected by Hurricane Irma, and they are often ineligible for or overlooked by recovery efforts. Our partners at Church World Service are working with these communities to address their needs. Watch our social media feed for photos, stories, and updates about this recovery. Comments are closed.
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