Relief Assessments Underway After Ike Batters SE Texas
Week of Compassion is grateful for the many inquiries by email and phone about the impact of Hurricane Ike and WOC's response. WOC is making contact with area ministers in the Southwest Region and with local pastors and congregational leaders. Because many of those pastors evacuated in the face of Ike and because cell and internet service has not yet been fully restored, communications remain a challenge. It will take several more days before we have adequate assessments from our churches. Preliminary reports do indicate damage to First CC, Texas City; First CC, Port Arthur;and Northwood CC, Beaumont. The city of Galveston bore the brunt of the storm, and there are two Disciples churches (Central and Second) on the island. Orange, TX took several feet of water and heavy winds as well, and we are waiting to hear from FCC there. First CC, Lake Charles, LA, reports that 50% of its membership may have water damage, and there are sure to be numerous other congregations with members affected. Of course, overall needs from Ike are staggering. Several million people remain without power, damage in the greater Houston area is extensive and the recovery will take years.
WOC is also in touch with regional offices in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan about the impact of rains and winds from both Ike and Tropical Storm Lowell, which swept in from the Pacific days earlier.
We do know that Ike's impact in the Caribbean, especially in Haiti, has been deadly and very destructive. Numerous Action by Churches Together members are responding across the region, and Church World Service has issued a major appeal to its member communions for a shipment of kits, blankets and other material aid to support church partners' recovery efforts. WOC is responding on behalf of the Disciples. WOC has also provided emergency grants directly to several local church partners for immediate assistance.
Altogether, WOC has provided just under $100,000 to congregations and church partners in response to Hurricanes Dolly, Fay, Gustav and Ike, and we anticipate requests over the next several weeks to exceed this amount significantly as assessments are received from congregations, Church World Service and local recovery partners.
Your help is needed. If you hear of Disciples congregations or members affected, please don't hesitate to contact WOC right away. With major power outages and disrupted phone and internet services, it is a challenge to be in touch with all our pastors.
Designated contributions for hurricane relief and recovery are urgently needed and will be used in their entirety as directed. Gifts can be sent to WOC, attn: Elaine Cleveland, P.O. Box 1986, Indianapolis, IN 46206 or made online at www.weekofcompassion.org.
Also, CWS has issued an urgent appeal to congregations of its member communions for hygiene kits, baby kits, clean up buckets and blankets. Click below for more information.
Because of the well-established mission station program developed after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, it may be possible for Disciples work groups to participate in debris removal and clean-up efforts relatively soon. Assessments are still being made with current mission stations in Lake Charles and Beaumont/Port Arthur about their capacity to receive groups. Also, additional mission stations may be established as assessments are completed. Contact the Office of Disciples Volunteering for information on times and places available and coordination of recovery efforts.
Week of Compassion will continue to provide information to the church via these Updates and on our website as we receive more information, along with details on responses we are supporting through our churches and recovery partners.
Thank you!
