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. 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
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updated 01/31/23 Multiple fires across the Western U.S. affected communities in 2022. From April until late June, the combined Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fires ravaged Mora, San Miguel, and the edge of Taos Counties in New Mexico, burning 341,471 acres and threatening wildlands, homes and businesses, agricultural resources, and lives in this Hispanic majority region. It was the largest fire in New Mexico’s recorded history with devastation further exacerbated by subsequent flooding when rains finally came to the denuded mountainsides. The Hermit’s Peak Fire Assistance Act provides unique federal assistance resources for this recovery. In September, the Mill Fire burned 3,935 acres around Weed, CA, destroying homes in the Lincoln Heights and Lake Shastina areas, primarily affecting low-income residents. While we do not have Disciples congregations in the immediate areas of these fires, Week of Compassion is in contact with partners in affected areas, and we are providing grants to help the communities organize long-term recovery. Read more about how Disciples are responding and how you can help! HOW DISCIPLES ARE INVOLVED
Local Contacts: NM - Mora San Miguel Long Term Recovery GroupCA - Mills Fire Long-Term Recovery Group, NorCal VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) Early Response: Week of Compassion connected with partners to identify long-term needs. Ongoing Engagement: Week of Compassion is working with local long-term recovery groups in both locations to support community-led rebuild efforts. HOW TO HELP Volunteer: TBD. Give to Week of Compassion: Designate US Storms Pray: Continue to pray for those affected by these fires and for our Week of Compassion partners. Advocate: Advocate for sufficient and equitable distribution of recovery resources. Comments are closed.
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