September 7, 2005 (Baltimore, MD) - Hurricane Katrina Response Gains Momentum
Lutheran Services in America, its member organizations, and other Lutheran partners are working with Lutheran Disaster Response in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The news coverage from the disaster area makes clear that the problems are monumental. However, by the grace of God and the work and generosity of many, progress is being made.
Hundreds of thousands of people have been relocated to temporary safe havens - especially in Baton Rouge, Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, and San Antonio. Sizeable groups of people will begin arriving in many states, including Minnesota, Michigan, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Washington, Oregon and West Virginia, within a few days. Each day new cities and states
are recording their willingness to welcome people displaced by the hurricane. Many Lutheran health and human service organizations, local congregations and communities are working with their mayors and governors to meet the housing and other needs of people being relocated The work of Lutheran organizations in local areas is being coordinated with
that of Lutheran Disaster Response, Lutheran Services in America, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, Lutheran World Relief, and local congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod through a Lutheran Coordinating Table meeting each day by teleconference.
Lutheran Disaster Response 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. While concentrating its work in the Gulf Coast area on short and long term recovery and rebuilding, Lutheran Disaster Response will not be engaged directly
in matching individuals with temporary housing.
The most urgent need is the generation of financial resources to provide the greatest flexibility of response. 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 or capacity are asked to send that information to Lutheran Disaster Response by e-mail so that it can be entered into a database that will serve as a virtual warehouse into which coordinators can dip as they identify needs. Please send detailed information specifying what is being offered and contact information to ddr@elca.org. Please be patient as there will be great need over many months. Detailed information about immediate and longer term opportunities to volunteer or provide material aid can be found at www.elca.org/disaster or www.lcms.org.
Specific updates include:
As these efforts target immediate needs, planning is underway among Lutheran organizations and other partners to identify longer term needs and move quickly, in a coordinated way, to be ready for the challenges of the months and years ahead. You are invited to check this website on a regular basis for the latest information about these plans and to find out how you can help.Lutheran Social Services of the South continues to provide on-the-ground help in the affected area, especially in assisting with the support of displaced persons who have been evacuated to Texas. A children's treatment center in New Orleans was successfully relocated, and residents of the organization's Peace Lake Towers housing ministry in New Orleans were all rescued by the Coast Guard on September 2. Many LSS staff members are laboring to help others even as they deal with their own grief and loss.
Lutheran organizations in Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Washington have been asked by state and local officials to assist with relocating displaced Gulf Coast residents who will be arriving shortly in those and many other states.
Lutheran social ministry organizations, synodical representatives, and others are coordinating disaster response in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas
Lutherans and Episcopalians have jointly committed to providing meals in the Houston Astrodome during the last week of September.
Mosaic, another LSA member organization, is opening space in its Texas facility for displaced Americans with disabilities.
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.