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* VOLUNTEERS NEEDED 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. Tornado Outbreak (Dec 2021) * - Kentucky Hurricane Ida (2021) - Louisiana, Gulf Coast, East Coast 2021 Wildfires |
* limited volunteer opportunities available, with COVID-19 precautions
Hurricanes Sally & Zeta9/17/2020 2020 - U.S. Gulf Coastupdated: 04/05/2022 After stalling off the coast of Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, Hurricane Sally underwent a period of rapid intensification before making landfall as a category 2 hurricane near Gulf Shores, AL very early on Sept 16 2020. The very slow-moving storm battered coastal communities in Alabama and the panhandle of Florida for hours. More than half a million customers were without power as of Sept 17, even as the storm continued moving across Georgia and South Carolina. Thousands of homes were damaged from flooding and trees toppled by the winds. Several Disciples congregations in have been directly affected, including damage at church buildings. - Federal disaster declarations: DR-4563-AL and DR-4564-FL Six weeks later, Hurricane Zeta made landfall as a category 3 hurricane made landfall in eastern Louisiana before tracking across Alabama, bringing significant rain to areas affected by Hurricane Sally. Read more about how Disciples are involved AND how you can help! HOW DISCIPLES ARE INVOLVED
Local Contacts: Alabama/Northwest Florida Region Disciples; local Long-Term Recovery Groups 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. Ongoing Engagement: We will continue to support the efforts of Disciples in the area and make recovery grants available to local recovery organizations. Additionally, our partners at Church World Service have deployed the Disaster Recovery Support Initiative to support Long-Term Recovery Group development in Southwest Alabama. Week of Compassion continues to build partnerships and assess opportunities to assist with long-term recovery. HOW TO HELP Volunteer: We are not currently coordinating volunteer opportunities for this recovery, but we are happy to help make connections to local organizations that can use the help! If you are interested in volunteering, email us. 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 folks who were already economically unstable because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Comments are closed.
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