As media report that the death toll from Hurricane Helene has topped 200–with more than half of the deaths in western North Carolina–Brethren Disaster Ministries and Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) have begun active responses to aid survivors of the storm and its aftermath.
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Church of the Brethren congregations and members are affected by the storm, Brethren Disaster Ministries reaches out to districts
Church of the Brethren congregations and members are among those who have been affected by Hurricane Helene and its aftermath, especially in Southeastern District denominational staff have learned in conversation with district executives. The General Secretary’s office, Brethren Disaster Ministries, and the Ministry office have connected with leaders in the church districts covering the states where the storm was most destructive–Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
How you can help: Hurricane Helene and its aftermath
Brethren Disaster Ministries as well as local emergency authorities are strongly advising those who would like to help out NOT to travel to the areas affected by Hurricane Helene, while the roads are not safe and search and rescue is still happening.
However, here are opportunities to help from home:
Children’s Disaster Services provides support to Lake Elsinore community
Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) deployed four volunteers to Lake Elsinore, Calif., to assist children impacted by the recent wildfire. The volunteers provided a calm and supportive presence for 21 children while their parents and guardians sought assistance at a Local Assistance Center.
Children’s Disaster Services deploys to Lake Isabella, Calif.
On Aug. 9, Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) deployed a team of three volunteers to Lake Isabella, Calif., where they served in a Local Assistance Center (LAC) until Aug. 13. Setting up a disaster care center, the team aided the needs of 20 children.
Disaster grants support rebuilding in York County, Child Life Disaster Relief, children in Maui
Brethren Disaster Ministries staff have requested the following grants from the Church of the Brethren’s Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF): $10,000 for a rebuilding project in York County, Pa., following Tropical Storm Ida; $15,000 to support training models and resource development by Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) partner Child Life Disaster Relief; and $5,000 to support families connected with the Maui (Hawaii) Economic Opportunity, Inc.’s Head Start center.
Brethren Disaster Ministries finalizes location for new short-term rebuilding project
The Brethren Disaster Ministries Rebuilding program has exciting news to share about our work this fall! The location has now been finalized for the short-term schedule of volunteers set for Project 2 this September through November. These groups of volunteers and leaders will return to continue serving the Dawson Springs, Ky., 2021 tornado recovery.
Storm causes damage at EYN refugee camp in Cameroon
We have been hearing of a storm and need at the Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) refugee camp in Cameroon, called Camp Minawao. The new EYN director of Disaster Relief Management, Bitrus Duwara, investigated and found out the following:
Emergency Disaster Fund grant supports longterm recovery project in York County
A grant of $7,500 from the Church of the Brethren’s Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) has been directed by Brethren Disaster Ministries to aid 12 families in York County, Pa., who have no other means of recovery from damage by Tropical Storm Ida in 2021.
CDS volunteers work in Arkansas as active tornado season continues
During the first half of June, Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) volunteers have continued to provide care centers for children during what has been identified as the most active tornado season in the United States since 2017. Most recently, CDS volunteers have worked in Arkansas.
