Category Archives: Disaster Response
Help for Cedar Rapids
In 2008, Iowa experienced its worst disaster ever: 85 out of 99 counties were impacted; state-wide, damages are estimated at $8-$10 billion; farmers lost $3 billion in crops; and several thousand homes were destroyed. Volunteers have been working hard with folks in the communities affected, but the wider public attention to their plight, needs, and inspiring stories of recovery was short-lived. Disciples Volunteering, in partnership with Week of Compassion, wants to bring some attention back to Iowa. You can help, by sharing the following blurb, volunteering to serve, and recruiting friends, family, and church members to do the same.
Volunteers Needed for Cedar Rapids “Ecu-Build”
In 2008, when Cedar Rapids, Iowa, experienced historic flooding that destroyed more than 5,000 homes, it was clear that the recovery would take years. While much progress has been made, the recovery has only just begun for too many families and individuals. That is why Church World Service is coordinating the work of at least 10 denominations to bring a focused effort to neighborhoods in need of assistance – and your help is needed! Disciples Volunteering and Week of Compassion are calling for volunteers to serve alongside ecumenical partners in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, repairing homes damaged by the flood. Disciples Volunteering and Week of Compassion have joined in this mission to bring hope, healing, and a helping hand to Cedar Rapids. Please consider serving for a week in May, repairing homes and rebuilding lives that were damaged nearly two years ago. Volunteers are needed May 2 – May 22. For more information or to register, contact Brenda Tyler at 888-346-2631 or visit this registration website.
Methodist Update from Haiti
The United Methodist Committee on Relief has posted this update regarding on the ground conditions in Haiti, via the Methodist Church in Haiti. Among the highlights are these statements (emphasis mine):
On behalf of the Methodist Church in Haiti and the Haitian people, we thank you. Thank you all for your outpouring of love, support and Christian brotherhood in our great hour of need. Haiti has suffered a great tragedy, and to rebuild, recover and strengthen, it will take us all.
You have kept us in your prayers and we are grateful. You have sent donations through the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). We thank you for your generosity. You have expressed your selfless interest in volunteering your time to come to Haiti to help with the recovery effort and we look forward to welcoming you…
In the short-term, the immediate needs of providing emergency aid of food, water, shelter and medical care are being addressed by UMCOR and a host of national and international relief organizations and technical specialists. Soon, the work of clearing debris in preparation for rebuilding will be done by teams of locals in cash-for-work programs led by these same aid groups and local community groups, including the Methodist Church in Haiti. The participation of international volunteers is welcome after this initial emergency phase is complete, at which time the Methodist Church in Haiti will work closely with UMCOR and UMVIM to identify rehabilitation projects which match the needs prioritized in the country.
With great appreciation for the outpouring of support and offers to come in person to help volunteer in Haiti as quickly as possible, the Methodist Church in Haiti, in partnership with UMCOR, requests that volunteer teams consider delaying their arrival into Haiti…
In case you missed it, their point is: If you want to volunteer in Haiti, please WAIT! The rest of the brief update explains why: assessments and evaluations are on-going, therefore volunteer friendly projects have not been identified; their volunteer housing facility has been damaged; travel in country is severely hampered; and debris removal itself may take two more months.
The impulse to want to go and help is strong and it is to be affirmed; but more important is the need for patience: because I promise you, in six months or a year, when the country is still reeling from the devastation of this disaster, there won’t be nearly so many people wanting to make a trip. This urgent need people have, this feeling that we have to help now only creates more crisis in the immediate aftermath of a disaster, as the Americans accused of attempting to abduct children from Haiti have proved. Please remember: the urgent needs of the survivors are more important than your own; what’s more, they will far outlast the headlines and media coverage. Do you really want to help the survivors in Haiti? Start planning a trip now for sometime next year. Or the year after that. Because there will still be plenty of work to do.
More On Haiti
The big news from Haiti this morning is that a rescue crew pulled a 16 year old girl from under the rubble of a building that was destroyed 15 days ago. Meanwhile, this article continues, survivors are desperate for the breakthrough of food aid. Reports continue to suggest that the problem, at this time, is not a lack of aid; rather, it is the distribution of aid that is facing serious challenges. From receiving all that is being offered, to sorting and distributing over a broken infrastructure, to the challenges of setting up distribution centers, relief organizations, aid agencies, and the government have many structural and logistical hurdles to overcome.
afternoon update: Just found this npr post with a video of the rescue.
Meanwhile, Week of Compassion shares, “While it is true that the delivery of aid has been hampered by many factors, including infrastructure-related challenges, Week of Compassion can assure you that aid is reaching many of those who need it.” Aid is being distributed effectively through our mission partners and many agencies in that region that are supported through Week of Compassion giving. Week of Compassion participates directly in the ACT Alliance, an international ecumenical partnership, which offers this video highlighting their response:
After a Disaster
Over the past week, I have been a part of or heard about several similar conversations. They all start something like this: “My friend (or church or work) is collecting food (or clothes or medicine) to send to Haiti. They say it doesn’t matter what you give (or what condition it’s in or whether it’s used or even expired) because the people of Haiti have nothing right now. So anything we give will help.” Simply put: that’s just not true.
As well intentioned as most people are, now is not the time to clean out your pantry, your closet, or your medicine cabinet. The people of Haiti do not need your canned soup or the five or six water bottles in your fridge. They do not need your faded t-shirt and well worn jeans. They most certainly do not need your half-empty bottle of Tylenol or your medication that’s only a little past its expiration date. They do not need it, they do not want it, and, right now, such a “gift” will only make things worse. The best any of us can give, the most important thing that relief organizations need to provide the most help they can, is cash. Pick the charity of your choice, make sure it has an established presence in the affected region and has experience with disaster relief work, and give cash. Anything else at this time will only make the recovery more complicated. Unless and until established recovery organizations begin asking for other types of donations, do not send your cans of mixed veggies, your winter parka, or your arthritis medication.
And please, please, DO NOT go to the disaster zone. Unless you have specific skills that have been requested by a recovery organization, you are traveling with that organization, and you are able to bring in everything you need to meet your needs while there – food, water, bedding, etc. – stay home. Organize a fundraiser for earthquake survivors. Educate others on the importance of giving cash only. Pray for the people of Haiti. But do not go.
This feels redundant but it cannot be said enough. If you want to help the survivors of a disaster, send money. Week of Compassion is the funding ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) that focuses on disaster, development, and refugee needs. Week of Compassion has established relationships with organizations that are on the ground in Haiti. Best of all, 100% of gifts to the Week of Compassion earthquake fund will go help the people of Haiti. These gifts are already making a tremendous difference in a recovery that will last for years. The time will come for making other donations. For now, please pray for the people of Haiti. And give generously – just give cash.
Galveston Blitz Build a United Effort
*The following report is shared via a Week of Compassion update. To sign up for these updates, visit http://www.weekofcompassion.org/
The Rev. Rebecca Hale, Week of Compassion Advisory Committee Chair, recently represented Week of Compassion at the Blitz Build in Galveston, TX. She sent us this dispatch:
In 2008, Hurricane Ike devastated many buildings and homes in Galveston, Texas. The substantial stone building of Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) escaped significant damage, and the members of that congregation rapidly mobilized to begin using their building as a central aid station for the area. As the congregation began opening its doors to offer compassion for its neighbors, along with other Texas congregations, Week of Compassion, Disciples Volunteering, the Southwest Region and the Coastal Plains Area of the Christian Church (Disciples) joined with them in efforts to provide relief in the forms of food, companionship, funds, clothing, and volunteer assistance.
In those very early days, members of Central Christian Church realized that their nearest Disciples neighbor, Second Christian Church (just five blocks away!), was having a very different experience. Shortly after the storm, Carl Zerweck, Director of Disciples Volunteering, a ministry of Disciples Home Missions, heard about Second Christian Church and went to take a look.
He described the damage as “devastating.” The building was almost completely destroyed and was in the process of being condemned by the city of Galveston.
Carl’s visit started a journey that ended with the dedication of the newly rebuilt church building of Second Christian Church on November 22, 2009. Volunteers from Texas and Louisiana congregations worked to gut the majority of the building in the fall of 2008. Volunteers from across the country, working with Disciples Volunteering throughout the summer and fall, rebuilt the worship and fellowship space of this congregation. During the rebuilding, First Christian Church, Texas City, TX, and Central Christian Church, Galveston, opened their doors to house and feed volunteers with the help of congregations from across the Coastal Plains Area. During the dedication, prayers of joy were offered, songs with words like “If you can’t make it through the storm/how can you say that God’s your captain?” took on an added significance, and tears fell in hope and gratitude.
The new building looks beautiful. Second Christian has a wonderful new space in which to live out its mission and ministry for many years. Many people and organizations made this happen – WoC, Reconciliation Ministry, the Coastal Plains Area, Disciples Volunteering, the Southwest Region, and scores of volunteers from across the life of our church. Maybe the most significant partnership that emerged was the relationship between the neighboring congregations of Second Christian Church and Central. One refrain echoed throughout the week: “we had lost touch with each other as sister congregations and now we have found a relationship that has the potential to sustain us both and expand our ministries.”
That was the spirit of the build: great joy at friends found and commitments made to stay in relationship with one another. There was also a deep sense of gratitude for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and what can happen when we come together to care for those who are devastated by events far beyond their control.
On another note, a woman came up to me to thank Week of Compassion. Immediately after the hurricane, she received some WoC funds through her pastor. She said without those funds she did not know what they would have done. Her house was flooded, and while insurance paid for most of the repairs, her husband could not work for four weeks and they would not have had money for food or basic needs during those early days. She said she was already planning on how she would be giving an increased amount to WoC so that others could experience the relief she experienced.”
Hope, Healing, and a Hand
Disciples Volunteering: Disaster Response announces
Hope, Healing, and a Hand
A Courageous Compassion Partnership
photo by Carl Zerweck
Since September, 2005, Disciples have faithfully responded to the needs of people impacted by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Ike. THANK YOU! More than $4.4 million has been contributed to the recovery effort through Week of Compassion. Nearly 11,100 Disciples have answered God’s call to help and served through a Disciples Mission Station. More than 437,000 hours, worth $8.9 million, have been offered in labor alone; 10 Disciples congregations have been rebuilt along with the equivalent of more than 175 homes. Disciples Volunteering, in partnership with Week of Compassion, is poised to help Disciples continue to answer God’s call to respond to those hard hit by disaster and partner in mission with neighbors in need. THANK YOU to all who continue to answer the call. Because needs remain… the work goes on!
2010 Mission Stations are available in Gulfport, MS; Slidell and Lake Charles, LA; and Texas City, TX
Because the needs of every community are unique, the response through each Mission Station is unique. Partner recovery organizations impose different age limitations, for example. Every Mission Station serves as a sanctuary of hospitality, offering, at a minimum, space to roll out air mattresses, a kitchen and basic cookware for preparing meals, and showers on-site. There is a cost of $75 per person at each Mission Station. This non-refundable fee is due at registration and will complete your mission team’s reservation. This fee covers Mission Station support, staffing, and volunteer insurance.
Answer God’s call to serve with Courageous Compassion today!
Begin your registration here, or contact Brenda Tyler at (888) 346-2631
Eagle update
The Eagle, Alaska recovery web-site was recently updated to reflect news from the last few weeks. The updates are brief; I’ll make them even more brief here:
September 30
“There are seven new homes in the new Eagle Village, two more on the new Village Road, four rebuilt at ground zero, and two near the boat landing in town. Fifteen homes rebuilt! They are so beautiful! We have been moving into our home this week and I have to say it is like a dream! We are so humbled to have been given this amazing gift. It truly is a house built by God! THANK YOU!!!!”
~an Eagle Resident whose home was rebuilt following the devastating Yukon River floodsSeptember 23
Samaritan’s Purse volunteers hosted a dedication dinner for Eagle residents whose homes they and others rebuilt following the flood. Many people used this time to express their appreciation for all the many volunteers from Samaritan’s Purse, Mennonite Disaster Services, and Disciples of Christ Disaster Response…
September 12
…And how many volunteers [have there been]? By Rob Paire’s official count, 233 ‘spontaneous’ volunteers arrived in Eagle from July 4 to September 11. This was in addition to the Mennonite Disaster Service volunteers, Samaritan’s Purse volunteers, Disciples Disaster Response volunteers and the volunteers from Dawson City that came in the first weeks following the flood. Thank you to an amazing number of volunteers! You were all so appreciated.
