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Lutheran Disaster Response

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West Virginia Flooding

Last week, a flash flood ravaged West Virginia, with at least 23 people confirmed dead, hundreds of homes severely damaged or destroyed and thousands of people left without power.  Due to the nature of flash floods, there was little time to prepare or escape. Thankfully, Camp Luther, in session during the onset, was able to evacuate over 350 children and staff and continue camp at a shelter site.

A post from Camp Luther’s Facebook page read:

Ladies and gentlemen, the Camp Luther staff aren’t likely to sing their own praises–so let me. Please consider the following: In the middle of a major disaster–one large enough to make the national news for 3 straight days–the Camp Luther staff was able to evacuate and move 350+ people over a mile in unfamiliar, flood-stricken territory and were not only able to keep everyone safe, fed, and sheltered but were also able to CONTINUE CAMP!

Think about that for a minute. There are many people who would’ve been hard-pressed to take care of just THEMSELVES under those conditions and the Camp Luther staff was able to pull it off with 270+ campers and 80+ staff coming from 50+ home congregations. That is incredible in my book! (read more)

We thank God for the dedication and of the camp staff and their efforts to keep the children fed, dry, and actively engaged in camp activities.

Lutheran Disaster Response is on the ground assisting those who have been affected by the flooding.  Our network, including our coordinators from West Virginia and neighboring Ohio, along with congregations, synods and  other disaster affiliate organizations, have come together to address the needs of survivors in the flooding in West Virginia. We know that the road to recovery is long. Over the coming months and years, we will walk alongside the people of West Virginia.

Be a part of the response:

Pray

Continue to pray for the people affected by the flooding, may God’s healing presence comfort them in their time of need.

Give

Gifts to West Virginia Flooding designated under U.S. Flooding will be used to assist those directly impacted until the response is complete.

Connect

To learn more about what Lutheran Disaster Response is doing:

To learn more or sign up for volunteer opportunities:

World Refugee Week

 

RS10943_LWF_4575-credOver 62 million persons have been displaced from their homes by violence, poverty, war, discrimination and marginalization, natural disaster and the effects of climate change. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has found that about 51% of refugees are children. These large numbers of children, along with high numbers of women and elderly, are even more vulnerable as they are more likely to experience to abuse, sexual violence, and neglect.

The situation of large-scale movements of migrants and refugees has become such a global concern that it has led the United Nations to call a high-level meeting of Member States on September 19, 2016. It will review the overall situation and consider, among other things, processes to lead to the development of new “global compacts” with respect to refugees on the one hand and to migrants on the other.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and

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always perseveres. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7, NIV)

Over and over again, God implores us to love our neighbors and bear their burdens. The refugee and other displaced persons are our neighbors. In 1 Corinthians, it says that love “always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.”

Over the last three years, Lutheran Disaster Response has invested about 2.5 million dollars in various global migration causes. While Lutheran Disaster Response continues to bring God’s help, healing, and hope, the Global Mission unit of the ELCA has been asking how, as a unit, we can serve our neighbor more efficiently. We have made a commitment to use accompaniment values to build awareness around the issues facing the world’s displaced persons, especially children, women and families, and advocate domestically and internationally for their well-being and dignity.

 

 

 

Be a part of the response:

Pray

Continue to pray for displaced persons around the world, may God’s healing presence comfort them in their time of need.

Give

Your gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response will be used where there is the greatest need.

Connect

To learn more about global migration and what Lutheran Disaster Response is doing:

  • Like Lutheran Disaster Response on Facebook.
  • Follow us on Twitter.
  • Visit our website at LDR.org
  • Sign up to receive Lutheran Disaster Response alerts.

Follow us for World Refugee Day – June 20

 

 

World Refugee Day

June 20, 2016Newly arrived Somali refugees wait in line to register at the Dadaab camp in northeastern Kenya. Swelled with tens of thousands of recent arrivals fleeing drought in Somalia, the camp has had difficulties absorbing the recent arrivals. The Lutheran World Federation, a member of the ACT Alliance, is manager of the camp and on July 25 began moving hundreds of families into new tents.

World Refugee Day is this Monday, June 20th. Lutheran Disaster Response will be taking this day, and all of next week to build awareness around global migration. ELCA Global Mission is already active in response to a number of critical refugee/ migration crises in the global and domestic context. We have relationships both within the ELCA and with global companions through which we provide humanitarian assistance, extend a welcome to the stranger and encourage those in power to work for peace with justice.

Follow along as we explore what is happening both domestically and internationally around global migration, how Lutheran Disaster Response has been involved over the last few years, and how you can be involved.

Follow Us for World Refugee Day:

 

 

Double the Impact

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The world is experiencing one of the highest concentration of disasters, in recent times. Various populations confront extreme child malnutrition, even starvation. More people are displaced now than ever before.  Many communities face weeks, if not months of waiting for weather to calm and repairs to begin.

Lives all across the globe are being ripped apart by conflict, earthquakes, severe storms, flooding, and drought. When the cameras leave, and the world turns it’s head, Lutheran Disaster Response stays behind to make sure that “the least of these,” are provided a chance at a “new normal.”

Through dedicated colleagues, trusted partners, our network of affiliates and companion churches, we have presence and knowledge of the needs at the local level. Your gifts are urgently needed for rapid and flexible response. We cannot do this important work without you.

Through Lutheran Disaster Response, your gifts will provide help and hope in the face of devastation. Thanks to a generous donor, your gift now will be matched – dollar for dollar – until we reach $100,000.

Be a part of the response:

Pray

Continue to pray for the people affected by disaster, may God’s healing presence comfort them in their time of need.

Give

Your gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response will be will be matched – dollar for dollar – until we reach $100,000.

Connect

To learn more about what Lutheran Disaster Response is doing: