CHICAGO (ELCA) -- "We need your help to respond to the devastation Hurricane Georges left behind in the Florida Keys and in Puerto Rico," said the Rev. Gilbert B. Furst, director for Lutheran Disaster Response, a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
After visiting Puerto Rico Oct. 7-9, Furst said the situation there is "already different" from that which he saw during his first visit shortly after Hurricane Georges hit the Caribbean last month.
"Chaos is giving way to the reality of loss," Furst said. "Many areas have no electricity or telephone service. Streets and roads are lined with branches, twisted roofing, ruined clothes and damaged furnishings. Blue tarps are beginning to cover exposed ribs of broken roofs."
Statistics continue to rise, said Furst. About 45,000 houses were destroyed and another 45,000 were damaged. "There have been six suicides. People are angry with the government ... the church, even God. These are normal dynamics of every disaster. But there is another constant, too. The church is here offering immediate relief and preparing to help over the long haul."
Lutheran Disaster Response is participating in relief efforts by distributing tarps, food, medical supplies and clothing. "Forty people from Dorado (a community of San Juan), whose houses were destroyed, are being housed at the ELCA Caribbean Synod's Camp Eduardo Roig. Housing is being prepared for volunteers from outside Puerto Rico. Local Lutheran Disaster Response staffing is being expanded to provide coordination of volunteers and their meals and to help manage the response," reported Furst.
Johanna Olson, assistant for Lutheran Disaster Response, said volunteers are needed "to remove debris, put tarp over exposed areas of houses, repair roofs and aid in major and minor rebuilding of houses."
"We are asking volunteers to commit to one to two weeks of service," said Olson.
"We spent three weeks without electricity and running water," said Herminia Ramirez-Rios, a member of El Mesias Lutheran Church, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. "At night the only light we had was what the moon could give us. At least in our area, trees and debris have been removed but in Lares, Utuado and towns further inland, the situation is worse. Many are still without electricity and unable to travel, since trees and debris cover most of the roads."
"In the Florida Keys the immediate need is for volunteers to help with clean up," said Furst. A Lutheran Disaster Response coordinator has been named to help manage response there.
DOMESTIC DISASTERS:
Editors: When listing organizations receiving funds for aid to survivors of
major disasters inside the United States, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin
Islands, please include:
Lutheran Disaster Response
P.O. Box 71764
Chicago, IL 60694-1764
800-638-3522
For information contact:
Frank Imhoff, Assoc. Director (773) 380-2955 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
