Editorial Reflections
Faith communities continually assist after disasters
For trusted ways to support hurricane and other disaster relief and recovery, many donate through their faith communities, which have channels and programs to direct assistance to communities.
They also have people in those communities to respond, often forming Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (nvoad.org), working with other faith communities and local nonprofits to "mitigate and alleviate" the impact of disasters. Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) help communities best use their resources.
After disasters, faith communities often work together to coordinate efforts of teams from faiths and denominations, local houses of worship, and faith-based nonprofits. Some churches like the Reformed Church in America mobilize teams to travel to areas affected by natural disasters to work with local churches to help people rebuild homes and lives.
Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) is supporting people affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. It also offers resources for congregations such as worship materials for times of storms and flooding.
Gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response help the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America provide immediate relief, such as water, clothing, gift cards, tarps and other needs. Since hurricanes require a long-term response, LDR provides support on the long road to recovery with disaster case management, construction management, unmet needs and emotional and spiritual care (elca.org).
The Presbytery of the Inland Northwest reports that Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PEA) is deploying National Response Team members to Tampa Bay Presbytery, the Presbytery of Western North Carolina and the Northeast Georgia Presbytery. They have approved initial assistance grants requests and expect more requests from presbyteries affected to respond to needs in their communities. They invite continued prayers for those affected and responding, as well as gifts (pda.pcusa.org).
The United Church of Christ (UCC) has a long history of supporting communities as they recover from disaster well after their plight fades from the headlines. UCC Disaster Ministries invites prayers and gifts, as something people can do to help alleviate suffering, rebuild homes and restore communities. "Gifts make a difference to those who are struggling during these difficult times and enable needed assistance as we stand with impacted communities in the years ahead," said Kent Siladi, interim director of philanthropy for the UCC (ucc.org).
"Whenever disasters strike, the United Methodist Church (UMC) responds with the knowledge that disaster response and recovery is a vital part of our church mission," said Sheila Miranda, associate for connectional ministries in the Inland and Seven Rivers district newsletter. She quoted David Valera, executive director of connectional ministries.
"Response and recovery happen on five levels at once: our Conference-wide efforts, work of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), district response and recovery, local church efforts and community support," David said. He explained that there are usually three stages in disaster response: 1) response by local authorities—police, fire, ambulance, search and rescue; 2) relief through UMCOR/Volunteers in Mission—trained in rapid response, and 3) recovery through UMCOR/Volunteers in Mission.
United Methodists use "a 1-10-100 formula in estimating the three stages of disaster response. This means a 4-day response calls for 40 days of relief and 400 days of recovery," he added.
"Historically, we as a church take on active leadership in the recovery stage of disasters. As you prayerfully discern how and what type of support you may want to give, consider the great need long after all the media hype to a disaster has ended," David recommended (umcor.org).
His description is valid for the disaster relief and recovery efforts of all faith communities.
The National Council of Churches has Hurricane Helene Emergency Response Resources. It has compiled a library of hurricane emergency response efforts from several of its communions and partners. This library is available to be shared and to help those impacted by this devastation (info@nationalcouncilofchurches.us).
Church World Service works ecumenically to provide supplies in disasters including hygiene kits, emergency cleanup buckets, school kits and blankets (cwsglobal.org).
The ACT Alliance connects more than 100 church-backed relief and development organizations worldwide in 125 countries with a budget of $1.5 billion to provide emergency food aid, shelter, water and sanitation, along work working to reduce poverty (actalliance.org).
Catholic Relief Services has been on the front lines of disaster response for decades. Gifts provide food and water, shelter, medical care, education and training to help communities recover and build resilience—before, during and long after emergencies fade from the spotlight. Support is critical for lifesaving work—sometimes even before crises are reported by the media (crs.org).
Episcopal Relief and Development has worked more than 75 years "to heal a hurting world, guided by the principles of compassion, dignity and generosity." Mandated by Jesus' words in Matt. 25, it reaches 3 million people annually with clean water and more as it responds to disasters and emergencies with immediate relief and long-term support.
It's appeal is for people to help ERD all the time so it is prepared to act, working through "a global network of local faith and community partners to support people impacted by disaster in the immediate aftermath and long-term" (episcopalrelief.org).
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) joins with Adventist Community Services (ACS) to assist victims of recent hurricanes on behalf of the Seventh-day Adventist churches.
"As a global humanitarian agency that responds to an average of two disasters each week, we understand the critical importance of providing timely access to recovery resources," said Imad Madanat, ADRA's international vice president for humanitarian affairs (adra.org).
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints website on the disasters says that "following Christ is not a casual or occasional practice but a continuous commitment and way of life that applies at all times and in all places." It adds that church members feel "it is our duty to follow the Savior's example and help those in need, whoever they are." One way is through emergency response efforts (churchofjesuschrist.org).
The Church of the Nazarene provides ways for local Nazarene churches to respond to assist communities in need in practical, tangible ways to meet mental, emotional and spiritual health, as well as to provide physical relief (https://usacanadaregion.org/compassionate-ministries).
World Jewish Relief works with local partners globally to help people survive and rebuild their lives in the midst of conflict, disaster and the climate crisis (worldjewishrelief.org).
Baha'i have a Humanitarian Relief Fund. The Buddhist Tzu Chi Charity Foundation in Taiwan provides international humanitarian aid. The World Hindu Federation provides aid in disaster areas and conflict zones. Islamic Relief USA is on the ground when a disaster strikes, providing food, water, shelter and more, and helping rebuild lives.
To find other disaster ministries, visit thefigtree.org/2024directorybooklets.html (click Ministries), or search online.
Wherever and whenever there are hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tornados, heat waves, tsunamis, landslides, wildfires, drought, winter storms, cyclones, pandemics, accidents, war, terrorism and other disasters, people of faith and their organizations are present to give aid because they care, love and seek to bring healing and justice.
We tend to send donations when there is a disaster, but we can always share in supporting ongoing disaster recovery.
Mary Stamp - Editor & Marijke Fakasiieiki - Editorial Associate
