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
Hurricanes Sally and Zeta, Alabama West Coast Fires (2020) Hurricanes Laura and Delta, Louisiana* Derecho, Iowa Tornadoes, Tennessee Tropical Storm Imelda, Texas Tornadoes, Ohio* 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. 2021 Wildfires Kentucky Flooding Winter Storm (Feb. 2021) COVID-19 |
Winter Storm (Feb. 2021)2/14/2021 Updated March 9, 2021 Event Summary: In mid-February, 2021, a significant winter storm brought historic low temperatures to much of the U.S. and Canada. Impacts were especially consequential in Texas, where counties across the state experienced prolonged power outages, water system failures, and damage due to frozen pipes. Dozens of Disciples congregations sustained damage to their church buildings or at their members' homes. FEMA Disaster Declarations -- DR4586-TX, DR4587-OK, DR4590-LA How Disciples are Involved:
Local Contacts: Disciples Regions and local congregations, ecumenical partners, TX Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster Early Response: Disciples congregations in multiple regions provided relief to their communities through the storm by providing warming shelters, food assistance, and essential supplies. Week of Compassion is supporting these efforts and providing assistance to churches and church members who sustained damage to their buildings and homes. Ongoing Engagement: TBD How to Help: Volunteer: We have ecumenical partners coordinating volunteer teams for clean-up and critical plumbing repairs -- skilled volunteers are needed. There is need, as well, for volunteers to assist survivors in navigating FEMA and insurance claims. Interested volunteers can reach out to Associate Director, Caroline Hamilton-Arnold. Give to Week of Compassion: Designate “US Storms and Fires” 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 and infrastructure improvements to the water and power systems to mitigate against future events. Comments are closed.
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