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
Hurricane Ian (2022) - Florida Hurricane Fiona (2022) - Puerto Rico Flooding (2022) - Missouri Flooding (2022) - Kentucky Tornado Outbreak (Dec 2021) * - Kentucky Hurricane Ida (2021) - Louisiana, Gulf Coast, East Coast West Coast Fires (2020) - California & Oregon Hurricanes Laura & Delta (2020) - Louisiana * Hurricane Florence (2018) - North Carolina* Hurricanes Irma & Maria (2017) - Puerto Rico 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. Tornadoes (2023) - AR, MO, MS, OK, TN Tornado (2023) - Texas Tornadoes (2023) - Alabama and Georgia Severe Storms/Flooding (2023) - California Earthquakes (2022) - California Wildfires (2022) - New Mexico and California Water Crisis (2022) - Jackson, Mississippi |
* volunteer opportunities available, with COVID-19 precautions
Tornado Outbreak12/11/2021 2021 - western Kentuckyupdated: 01/27/2023 An historic tornado outbreak caused damage and casualties in multiple states, with the greatest impact in Western Kentucky. Several Disciples congregations were directly affected, with one church building destroyed and dozens of Disciples households among the thousands who lost their homes. Week of Compassion is coordinating with the Region, congregations, and ecumenical partners to provide relief and support long-term recovery. - Federal disaster declaration: 4630-DR-KY Read more about how Disciples are involved AND how you can help! HOW DISCIPLES ARE INVOLVED
Local Contacts: Local congregations, Kentucky VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster), local Long-Term Recovery Groups, Fuller Center Disaster Rebuilders, CrossRoads Missions, International Orthodox Christian Charities Early Response: Week of Compassion provided assistance to and through dozens of local Disciples congregations, with solidarity grants for affected congregations and members and grants to support congregational relief efforts. Relief efforts included distribution of food, water, and essential supplies and the offering of church buildings as volunteer housing spaces. Week of Compassion staff also worked to connect local church leaders with resources and assistance information. Ongoing Engagement: We will continue to support the efforts of Disciples in the area and make recovery grants available to local recovery organizations. Multiple Disciples congregations are hosting volunteer teams assisting with repair and rebuild work. Additionally, we are in conversation with ecumenical partners about other long-term needs. One innovative program Week of Compassion is supporting is the New Lease on Life program in Mayfield/Graves County - providing an opportunity for homeownership for tornado survivors displaced from rental properties destroyed by the tornado. HOW TO HELP Volunteer: We are working with local congregations and partners, including Fuller Center Disaster Rebuilders at First Christian Church Madisonville, CrossRoads Missions at First Christian Church Princeton, and International Orthodox Christian Charities at First Christian Church Paducah. For volunteer registration information, fill out the volunteer interest form. Give to Week of Compassion: Designate 2021 Winter Tornadoes Pray: Continue to pray for those affected by the tornadoes and for our Week of Compassion partners. Advocate: The tornadoes damaged a significant number of rental properties, reducing an already strained stock of affordable rental housing. Advocate for support for renters and increased affordable housing across the affected areas. Another important area advocacy will include support for folks who were already economically unstable because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Comments are closed.
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