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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ONGOING RESPONSES
Hurricanes Sally & Zeta (2020) - Alabama West Coast Fires (2020) - California & Oregon Hurricanes Laura & Delta (2020) - Louisiana * Tornadoes (2019) - Ohio Hurricane Florence (2018) - North Carolina* Carr Fire and Camp Fire (2018) - California Hurricanes Irma & Maria (2017) - Puerto Rico Hurricane Irma (2017) - Florida 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. Hurricane Ian (2022) - Florida Hurricane Fiona (2022) - Puerto Rico * bilingual volunteers needed for remote assistance * Water Crisis (2022) - Jackson, Mississippi Flooding (2022) - Missouri Flooding (2022) - Kentucky Tornado Outbreak (Dec 2021) * - Kentucky Hurricane Ida (2021) - Louisiana, Gulf Coast, East Coast |
* volunteer opportunities available, with COVID-19 precautions
Hurricanes Laura & Delta8/27/2020 2020 - Louisianaupdated: 04/05/2022 Hurricane Laura made landfall as a strong category 4 hurricane in Southwest Louisiana (about 35 miles from the Louisiana/Texas border) very early on Aug 27 2020. The storm maintained hurricane strength as it moved inland through Louisiana. Roughly half a million customers were without power after the storm, with more than 60,000 still without power two weeks later. Thousands of homes sustained damage from the winds and rain. Several Disciples congregations in Southeast and central Louisiana were directly affected, including damage at church buildings and at members' homes. - Federal disaster declaration: DR-4559-LA Late on Oct 9 2020 Hurricane Delta made landfall as a Category 2 storm less than 20 miles from where Hurricane Laura made landfall just 6 weeks prior. Delta tore tarps off the roofs of thousands of homes, which had been damaged from hurricane Laura, and knocked out power for more than 700,000 residents. The storm also caused significant flooding across many parts of the state. Many households affected by Delta were already economically strained by the COVID-19 pandemic and the costs of evacuation and repairs from Hurricane Laura. - Federal disaster declaration: DR-4570-LA Read more about how Disciples are involved AND how you can help! HOW DISCIPLES ARE INVOLVED
Local Contacts: Great River Region Disciples; Louisiana VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster); Fuller Center Disaster Rebuilders Early Response: Week of Compassion provided assistance to and through local Disciples congregations, with solidarity grants for affected congregations and members and grants to support congregational relief efforts. Staff are in regular communication with church leaders in the area as well as ecumenical partners through the VOAD network. Disciples in New Orleans have helped provided supplies for evacuees, and Disciples from New Orleans and Baton Rouge have provided clean-up assistance in cooperation with Disciples congregations in southeast Louisiana. Ongoing Engagement: Week of Compassion is partnering with Fuller Center Disaster Rebuilders to coordinate volunteers for repair of homes damaged by hurricanes. We will also continue to support the efforts of Disciples in the area and rebuild efforts throughout long-term recovery. How to Help: Volunteer: Volunteers are needed for repair and rebuild efforts in collaboration with local Disciples congregations and our local construction partner, Fuller Center Disaster Rebuilders. Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age. Max group size is 20. Work includes interior and exterior repair work due to wind damage and water intrusion. Interested volunteers should fill out a volunteer interest form. Give to Week of Compassion: Designate Hurricanes. Pray: Continue to pray for those affected by the hurricane and for our Week of Compassion partners. Advocate: Areas of important advocacy will include support for the largely rural areas affected by the hurricane and for folks who were already economically unstable because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Comments are closed.
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