Ron Lubungo, a leader in the Church of the Brethren in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), reported on the use of an Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) grant from the Church of the Brethren for COVID-19 relief. A grant of $12,000 to the Brethren in the DRC was given to provide emergency food to 550
Brethren Disaster Ministries
Disaster grants go to continuing hurricane response and COVID-19 response
In recent weeks the Church of the Brethren’s Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) has disbursed several grants, directed by the Brethren Disaster Ministries staff. The largest are helping to continue hurricane recovery work in Puerto Rico ($150,000), the Carolinas ($40,500), and the Bahamas ($25,000). Grants for COVID-19 response are going to Honduras (two grants for $20,000
Material Resources sends shipments of face shields and masks
The Material Resources program of the Church of the Brethren has been making shipments of face shields and masks to Italy and other areas needing COVID-19 supplies. Working out of warehouse facilities at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., Material Resources staff inventory, pack, and ship disaster relief goods, medical supplies, and other
Brethren Disaster Ministries extends suspension of its rebuilding sites
Brethren Disaster Ministries has announced an extended suspension of its rebuilding sites. This will temporarily move the reopening date of the Carolinas site to May 3 and the Puerto Rico site to April 25, extending the current suspension for two additional weeks. As was previously planned, the Tampa, Fla., site has closed and the location
EDF grant continues Nigeria Crisis Response funding
The staff at Brethren Disaster Ministries have requested an additional allocation of $300,000 from the Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) to cover remaining program expenses for the Nigeria Crisis Response program for 2020 and to carry the response through March 2021. Since 2014, the Nigeria Crisis Response has provided more than $5 million in ministry resources
EDF grants respond to COVID-19 pandemic in Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo
The staff at Brethren Disaster Ministries have directed grants from the Church of the Brethren’s Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in two countries in central Africa: Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In response to the pandemic, governments all over the world are closing borders, restricting travel, and
Church World Service closes kit depots, affects Material Resources ministry
A decision by the Church World Service (CWS) leadership team to close all of the kit depots in local congregations through May 31 will affect the Church of the Brethren’s Material Resources ministry based at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md. The Material Resources warehouse facility receives, processes, and distributes CWS disaster relief
Children’s Disaster Services shares Covid-19 resources for children
Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) associate director Lisa Crouch has shared Covid-19 resources for children. These include online resources from trusted sources for talking with children about the virus, a comic for exploring the situation, downloadable resources for working through emotions and helping children cope, among others: “Talking with Kids” from PBSwww.pbs.org/parents/thrive/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-coronavirus “Just for Kids: A
Brethren Disaster Ministries temporarily suspends volunteer travel to rebuilding sites, Children’s Disaster Services postpones spring training workshops
Brethren Disaster Ministries temporarily suspends volunteer travel to rebuilding sites, Children’s Disaster Services postpones spring training workshops today. “After considerable discussion and prayer, BDM has made the decision to temporarily suspend all volunteer travel to rebuilding sites.” Two upcoming Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) trainings are being postponed and rescheduled to minimize non-essential travel for trainers and
Brethren Disaster Ministries offers resources and recommendations on coronavirus COVID-19
A webpage of resources and recommendations on coronavirus COVID-19 has been posted by Brethren Disaster Ministries. The webpage includes sections of guidance for families and individuals, guidance for church leaders and congregations–including emergency planning, and a warning about coronavirus scams. Go to www.brethren.org/bdm/covid-19.html The webpage helps answers commonly asked questions such as what are the symptoms