LUTHERAN DISASTER RESPONSE

Lutheran Disaster Response strives to help the church continue to be church in the midst of disaster — following Christ’s call to bring hope and healing to our neighbors in need. Our congregation makes up an essential part of the church-wide effort both nationally and internationally.

Some key areas of disaster response include:
• Providing emotional and spiritual care for people who have been affected by a disaster and for leaders who respond to a disaster
• Coordinating volunteers through our local affiliates
• Assisting refugees in a holistic way by meeting the varied needs of the community
• Promoting disaster risk-reduction by helping communities build their assets thereby reducing the effects of likely disasters
• Providing long-term recovery efforts by addressing the unmet needs months or even years after a disaster strikes

The ELCA has supported recent major disaster response efforts such as
• U.S. Storms

Through our congregations, synods and disaster affiliate organizations, Lutheran Disaster Response is working with social ministries and synods that serve the impacted communities in shaping the response to this dynamic situation across multiple states. This initial response of neighbor helping neighbor and organizations responding in their own communities will be expanded by our long-standing network of support to assist those impacted.
• Nepal Area Earthquake