ELCA Disaster Response begins relief efforts after Hurricane Sandy

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In the wake of Hurricane Sandy and its subsequent
storms, the Rev. Mark S. Hanson said that the 4.2 million-member
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is "in prayer and will
respond generously and work tirelessly to rebuild lives, congregations and
communities."
In an Oct. 31 video, Hanson, presiding bishop of the church, said the
recovery work will not be done alone. "Through ELCA Disaster Response, we
will join with our congregations, affiliates and other partners in our
shared commitment to restore communities. As we have shown in past
disasters, we stay until the work is done. That is the ELCA's commitment."
Some ELCA congregations along the U.S. Atlantic coast have reported
damage. In the Caribbean, the storm has caused an estimated $88 million
worth of damage to Cuba's second largest province and taken the lives of
11 people. In Haiti, 51 people have been reported dead and severe flooding
has damaged roads, homes and farmland.
"In the face of this horrific storm the church is present in the
United States, Canada and the Caribbean for relief, to rebuild and to
renew the lives of those who have stood in the path of destruction," said
the Rev. Daniel Rift, director of ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Appeal.
"The church's work in these times benefit from our experience in
disaster response, having already been present and prepared," said
Rift. "Gifts given previously to ELCA Disaster Response enabled us to
support the prepositioning of supplies in the Caribbean. That means we are
already at work in bringing aid."
While much of the damage on the east coast of the United States still
needs to be assessed, many ELCA synod offices closed early in anticipation
of the storm. After losing electricity on Monday night, the Rev. Claire
Burkat, bishop of the ELCA Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, reported
that "it might be days until (the power) comes back" and that it was "too
dangerous for utility and Internet providers to work."
"Communication and collaboration among our faith partners has been
swift and effective," Burkat reported. "We pray that the Lord of Sea and
Sky will continue to be with and protect those people and living creatures
who are at risk from the wind, rain and flooding due to this massive
storm."
In hard-hit New Jersey, the Rev. Roy Riley, bishop of the ELCA New
Jersey Synod, was optimistic. "We were blessed to have the weekend for
families and communities to make preparations. In our congregations, there
were reminders on Sunday to remember the most vulnerable and check in with
them as possible before and during the storm."
"In the past few years this synod's congregations have sent response
teams to the U.S. Gulf Coast, Upstate New York, and places closer to
home," Riley stated. "We should know the drill by now. Nevertheless, we
are hoping for the best possible outcome but recognizing the significant
challenges that lie ahead."
The ELCA has a long history of responding quickly and generously to
natural disasters.
"The ferocity of this storm invites a response similar to that
mounted over six years ago to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita," said Rift. "In
New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, we have recent experience in
coordinating repair and cleanup after floods last year. We expect to
continue and reactivate programs and to expand this work in other states
where the storm continues to progress."
"Gifts can be directed for the work in the United States, Caribbean
or for either locations as needed most," said Rift. "In all cases, 100
percent of gifts for the Hurricane Sandy response will be directed for
response."
View the video message from the ELCA presiding bishop at
http://youtu.be/xrsGUUgU7YM. Information about ELCA Disaster Response is
available at http://www.ELCA.org/disaster.