ELCA NEWS SERVICE
January 25, 2008
LDR Begins Next Phase of Disaster Response along U.S. Gulf Coast
08-005-MRC
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- This spring Lutheran Disaster Response
(LDR) will move into its next phase of recovery work along the
U.S. Gulf Coast. LDR will support the work of local "long-term
recovery committees" that will serve the needs of people and
restore communities devastated by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and
Wilma along the Gulf Coast.
This is a normal transition in all disaster recovery work,
according to the Rev. Kevin A. Massey, acting director, Lutheran
Disaster Response -- a collaborative ministry of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Lutheran Church-
Missouri Synod.
Massey said the transition to supporting the efforts of
locally organized committees usually happens earlier in the
process, but the "unprecedented nature of the 2005 hurricanes
called for action far different from what is normal for our
organization and our many partners."
The traditional style of disaster response is a
collaborative concept of locally operated, long-term recovery
committees, "a model that has served communities historically and
recently in places like Rushford, Minn., Findlay, Ohio, and
Northwood, N.D.," said Massey. "As recovery along the Gulf Coast
reaches a phase where work must continue with ever-diminishing
resources we are preparing, along with many of our partner
organizations, to gradually transition to this model over the
coming months."
Long-term recovery committees are nonprofit organizations
that serve as headquarters for continued disaster response along
the Gulf Coast. They will bring together local leaders, such as
pastors and LDR coordinators, to contribute resources to a wider
group and broaden their influence on community restoration, said
Massey.
"For a Lutheran volunteer, it means working side-by-side
with volunteers from other faith groups and community groups
under the umbrella of a collaborative community effort. Be
assured that support in the form of volunteers and financial
contributions will be needed along the Gulf Coast for many years
to come," he said.
To support these local disaster response initiatives, the
ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Appeal will issue an appeal for
more funds in February.
Through the appeal, LDR "will be able to shift (its)
emphasis from independent operations and begin to make key
investments in the formation and activity of local long-term
recovery committees along the Gulf Coast. When Hurricane Katrina
first struck, the generosity of the Lutheran response was
overwhelming. Now we hope you will join us in a renewed
commitment to our sisters and brothers who remain in great need,"
Massey said.
Soon after Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma struck the
Gulf Coast in 2005, Lutherans gave more than $27 million to
support relief and recovery operations. LDR coordinated the work
of 36,000 volunteers who gave more than 1.6 million hours in
gutting out and repairing more than 10,000 homes. Of the
volunteers, more than 2,000 were college and university students
who volunteered under the "What a Relief!" alternative spring
break effort.
Katrina Aid Today
LDR received more than $7 million through "Katrina Aid
Today" -- a national case management consortium administered by
the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the United Methodist
Committee on Relief. The consortium's work will end March 31.
Through Katrina Aid Today, Lutheran Disaster Response case
workers helped more than 11,000 families gain access to more than
$20 million in assistance, said Massey. LDR met and surpassed
its goal in case management work through the consortium, he said.
"We are so very proud of the work that Lutheran Disaster
Response affiliates have accomplished through this program, and
we are honored to have been one of nine national partners in the
consortium," Massey said.
DOMESTIC DISASTERS:
Editors: When listing organizations receiving funds to aid
survivors of major disasters inside the United States, Puerto
Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, please include:
ELCA Domestic Disaster Response, P.O. Box 71764,
Chicago, Illinois 60694-1764
Credit card gift line: 1-800-638-3522
Credit card gifts via Internet: http://www.ELCA.org/disaster
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask]
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog
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