International Networks

When it comes to our international work, Lutheran Disaster Response has two main channels: membership organizations and companion churches. In both instances the purpose is to have a more roboust, efficient and locally-tied response. Read below to learn a bit about these partners.

Member Organizations

• Action By Churches Together (ACT) Alliance: This organization helps coordinate disaster response funding and communications. Many of our ELCA's international companions/partners are also members of the ACT Alliance.
• Lutheran World Federation: This is a global communion of Lutheran churches around the world. Many of our companions are also members.
• Church World Service: This is an ecumenical agency of US-based church and para-church organizations active in both the US and internationally.

Companion Churches

The ELCA has relationships with global Lutheran church bodies in more than 90 countries around the world. When a disaster strikes close to home for one of these companions, we make it a point to walk with them in their response. Many of the 65 synods of the ELCA also have direct one-to-one relationships with these companions and will bring their gifts to bear when a disaster strikes. To learn more about these companion relationships see the ELCA's Global Mission page: Where We Work.