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 Michael: Florida and Georgia10/10/2018 updated: 01/08/2021 Event Summary: Hurricane Michael intensified rapidly in the Gulf of Mexico before making landfall along the Florida panhandle as a Category 4 storm on Oct. 10, 2018. The most severe damage occurred in 12 counties in the panhandle, but high winds and heavy rain resulted in downed trees, structural damage, and flooding across several other counties in Florida, Alabama, and Georgia. How Disciples are Involved:
Local Contacts: First Christian Church, Fort Walton Beach; Primera Iglesia Cristiana, Fort Walton Beach; Church World Service; Rebuild Bay County; GA Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster Early Response: While no Disciples congregations were in the direct path of the hurricane, two churches were positioned to help provide relief. Week of Compassion helped connect those congregations with other area partners and provided informational and financial resources to support their involvement in relief efforts. Ongoing Engagement: We continue to work with our ecumenical partners and local long-term recovery groups to provide grant support for long-term recovery. In collaboration with Disciples Volunteering, United Church of Christ Disaster Ministries, Brethren Disaster Ministries, we supported the deployment of a long-term recovery consultant to affected counties in southern Georgia. Our partners at CWS are working with migrant and farm-worker networks to help address the needs of these affected communities. We have provided grants to local long-term recovery groups to support home repairs in affected counties. 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 Florida and our Week of Compassion partners. Watch our social media feed for photos, stories, and updates about this recovery. Comments are closed.
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