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) |
Tornadoes, Tennessee3/2/2020 updated: 05/22/2020 Event Summary: Overnight between March 2 and 3, a series of tornadoes moved through Nashville and communities to the east. 25 people died in the storms, and several hundred people were injured. As of March 10, several hundred homes were confirmed damaged or destroyed, and damage assessments continue. Federal disaster declaration: DR-4476-TN Another outbreak on April 12 and 13 caused extensive damage in Chattanooga and the surrounding areas. Response was complicated by restrictions due to COVID-19. Federal disaster declaration: DR-4541-TN How Disciples are Involved: Local Contacts: The Christian Church in Tennessee; local congregations, especially New Covenant Christian Church and Woodmont Christian Church in Nashville and FCC - Chattanooga and Ashland Terrace Christian Church in Chattanooga. Early Response: Disciples in the Nashville area began actively serving their neighbors in the days immediately following the tornadoes. In addition to solidarity grants for affected Disciples members and congregations, Week of Compassion has been supporting supply distribution through New Covenant Christian Church and other relief efforts through Woodmont Christian Church. In Chattanooga, Week of Compassion provided solidarity grants for affected Disciples and is collaborating with local congregations to support long-term recovery. We are in regular conversation with Regional leadership and our ecumenical partners to direct resources to places of need. Ongoing Engagement: We will continue to support the efforts of Disciples in the area and will assess possibilities for supporting long-term recovery. Read more here. How to Help: Volunteer: Stay tuned for details about volunteer opportunities. Local volunteers in Nashville can connect through New Covenant Christian Church. Give to Week of Compassion: Designate “US Storms” Pray: Continue to pray for those affected by the tornadoes and for our Week of Compassion partners. Advocate: North Nashville, a historic black community, was hit especially hard by the March tornado, and residents are concerned about displacement and gentrification. Advocate for sufficient recovery resources to be directed equitably across the affected areas and for recovery initiatives that will preserve the history and culture of affected communities. Comments are closed.
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