September 16, 2005 (Baltimore, MD) - Emerging Needs in the Wake of Hurricane Katrina Call for Targeted Response
Update
During the two weeks following the devastation and destruction of Hurricane Katrina, the first concerns were the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people to safe locations and providing for their immediate need for food, shelter, and medical care. As the days have passed, many of those evacuees have found their way out of mass shelters and into the care of families and friends. Others have been assisted by employers or trade unions in relocating to communities across the country where they can find temporary employment. Governors and mayors have initiated relocation efforts that have brought displaced persons into their communities, often assisted by local nonprofit organizations.
Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR), working through Lutheran social ministry organizations in Texas, Mississippi, and Alabama, has been active during these first weeks. LDR hardship grants have enabled families and individuals to secure food and clothing. Emotional and spiritual care has been provided for evacuees and caregivers. Volunteers are being mobilized to tackle the hard work of clean up and reconstruction.
Looking ahead, new needs are emerging. And new forms of response are needed. As people are moving out of mass shelters in Houston, San Antonio, Baton Rouge, and other cities, many desire to remain in the immediate vicinity while they wait to return to their homes. In the meantime they need suitable temporary housing, help with enrolling children in school, guidance on how to access available government assistance, help with securing temporary employment, and financial help to meet immediate expenses. Local Lutheran congregations are reaching out to help. These congregations are working with Lutheran Services in America, Lutheran Social Services of the South, LDR, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, and other partners to quickly implement a plan to support evacuees during the coming months.
Meanwhile, Lutheran social ministry organizations across the country are engaged in supporting displaced Americans who arrive in their communities. Some organizations are opening residential facilities for displaced persons with special needs. Others are assisting large scale relocation efforts by sharing their expertise in volunteer coordination or case management. Many social ministry organizations are working with local congregations to arrange housing, food, and clothing for families who have relocated to their communities.
Responding to the needs of so many people who have suffered so greatly and lost so much will require commitment and flexibility. As needs change, creative new approaches will be required. LSA is committed to the ongoing work of identifying the best places to engage in responding to this disaster, and creating the most helpful solutions.
Lutheran Social Ministry Organization Updates
Information
- As the LDR affiliate, Lutheran Social Services of the South continues the work of caring for the immediate needs of displaced people in Texas through hardship grants, case management and counseling services, and coordination of volunteer efforts. Work will soon also include coordination of volunteer teams going into Louisiana for clean up and reconstruction work.
- In similar fashion, Lutheran-Episcopal Services of Mississippi is providing on-the-ground work on behalf of LDR in their area. This is especially challenging because they are coordinating the work from their location in a severely damaged area.
- Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, working with LDR, is preparing to offer Camp Noah, a program for children traumatized by disaster, in areas where displaced families are settling.
- Lutheran social ministry organizations around the country are sharing expertise to assist local relocation efforts.
It is now time to begin the clean-up and rebuilding of the Gulf Coast areas directly impacted by the storm. The most effective way to support this work is through financial contributions. This affords the most flexible and timely response. Please direct financial contributions to Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) . LDR is a cooperative effort of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod with a proven track record of providing assistance in the face of disaster. LDR has established a reputation for responding quickly and remaining on the scene for the long haul. LDR works in partnership with Lutheran health and human service organizations, congregations, and other partners to provide assistance in cost efficient ways to communities that go far beyond just the Lutheran community. You may channel your contributions through Lutheran Disaster Response by donating to either:
ELCA Domestic Disaster Response
P.O. Box 71764
Chicago, IL 60694-1764
Phone (with credit card) 800-638-3522
www.elca.org
OR
LCMS World Relief and Human Care
1333 South Kirkwood Road
St. Louis, MO 63122-7295
Credit Card Gift Line: 888-930-4438
www.lcms.org
Those individuals who are willing to volunteer or make in-kind contributions of materials should go to www.lcms.org or www.elca.org/disaster/resources/05-09-08-mailresponse.html to register their interest. If you are collecting supplies that you plan to ship or take to the Gulf Coast, you can check for locations that are set up to receive these items by going to either www.elca-ses.org or www.lcmsdistricts.org/southern.
The situation will continue to evolve as people across the nation mobilize to offer support in ways that respond to newly identified needs. Lutheran organizations will continue to be at the forefront of that effort. Please check this website on a regular basis for the latest information and to find out how you can help..
For the latest information and to learn more about how you can help you are encouraged to visit the Lutheran Disaster Response website at www.ldr.org.