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
West Coast Fires8/1/2020 2020 - California & Oregonupdated: 04/05/2022 An incredibly active wildfire season across the western U.S. included fires of historic size and severity, especially in California and Oregon. In addition to burning millions of acres and thousands of homes, these fires created hazardous air quality across the region and into western Canada. More than 100 Disciples households across multiple states have had to evacuate, and several households have confirmed damage to their homes. - Federal disaster declarations: California DR-4558-CA; Oregon DR-4562-OR Read more about how Disciples are involved AND how you can help! HOW DISCIPLES ARE INVOLVED
Local Contacts: Disciples across the affected states; Oregon and California VOADs (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) Early Response: Week of Compassion provided early relief to and through local Disciples congregations, with solidarity grants for affected congregations and members, and grants to support congregational relief efforts. Disciples across Oregon collaborated with each other and local officials to help provide emergency shelter and supplies for evacuees. Our staff continue to be in communication with church leaders in the area as well as ecumenical partners through the VOAD network. Ongoing Engagement: We continue to support the efforts of Disciples in the area and are evaluating possibilities for supporting long-term recovery. Read more here. First Christian Church, Medford, with support from Week of Compassion, is representing Disciples at the Jackson County Long-Term Recovery Group. HOW TO HELP Volunteer: Week of Compassion is in conversation with several local organizations about potential volunteer opportunities. To request more information and to stay informed about future opportunities, fill out the volunteer interest form. Give to Week of Compassion: Designate U.S. Storms and Fires. Pray: Continue to pray for those affected by the fires and for our Week of Compassion partners. Advocate: Areas of important advocacy include support for folks who were already economically unstable because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the hardest hit communities had high rates of poverty and a preexisting lack of affordable housing, including safe rental housing; advocate for housing solutions that address existing inequalities. Comments are closed.
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