On Wednesday, August 24, 2016, a 6.2 magnitude earthquake hit Italy 65 miles north-east of Rome leaving hundreds confirmed dead and thousands injured. Aftershocks continued to hit the region making rescue and relief efforts difficult.

Did you know there is a Lutheran Church in Italy? The Chiesa Evangelica Luterana in Italia (The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Italy) is made up of about 7,000 members and is a fellow member of the Lutheran World Federation.

As a sign of solidarity, the ELCA, through Lutheran Disaster Response, sent a gift of $10,000 for the emergency relief efforts. The funds were directed through the Federation of Protestant Churches in Italy (FCEI) who have been lending its facilities and its own technical resources during this tragedy.

Upon receiving this news, of our gift, Heiner Bludau, Dean of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Italy and Pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church Turin, shared his gratitude, not only for the gift but for our concern and prayers.

“Thank you very much, this is a very concrete aid for the people in need! Please forward my deeply felt gratitude for this expression of solidarity in prayer but also in money to the responsible of the ELCA. The words of your prayer and the consciousness that in the United States in your congregations in this way you pray for us in Italy is a great comfort. And the money is a direct help for those who have lost everything. This is one of the ways in which God helps: Through you and me and those who realize first aid with the grant you approved.  God bless you, dear brothers and sisters!”

– Heiner Bludau, Dean of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Italy

Let us continue to hold the survivors of this earthquake in our prayers as rescue efforts continue.

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

Thanks to generous, undesignated donations, we are able to respond quickly to these kinds of crises. 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.

While the ELCA was wrapping up our Churchwide Assembly in New Orleans, our neighbors, right there in Louisiana, were dealing with the fast rising waters of a flash flood. During the proceedings, Holly Schmitt, a member in the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod rose to shine light on the flooding and offer prayer. In her prayer offering, she said, “Unfortunately, we are beginning to see what the ravishing effects of rain are doing to this area, once again.”

At the culmination of the flood, there were a total of 13 confirmed deaths, tens of thousands had been rescued and even more evacuated across southern Louisiana and southern Mississippi. This flood came on the heels of several other floods that have hit the Gulf Coast region, starting earlier this spring.

Our coordinator, Jessica Vermilyea, Upbring’s Director for Disaster Response , is a very seasoned and well respected disaster coordinator in Louisiana. Beyond that, she is the chairperson of the Louisiana VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster). In that capacity, she is the key person coordinating and collaborating with FEMA, all levels of state government officials, together with many voluntary organizations and ecumenical partners to address the relief needs of flood survivors. Through her and Upbring, Lutheran Disaster Response is already actively at work in Louisiana.

“Please hold the people of this great state [of Louisiana], and especially of the Gulf Coast region, in the palm of your loving hands. And let us all offer up our prayers to you, that they may be as safe as possible and have as many resources available to them as we can provide.”  – Holly Schmitt

We know that this will be a long road to recovery, and we will be there to provide support through every phase of this disaster recovery process.

Be a part of the response:

Pray

Continue to pray for the people affected by flooding. May God’s healing presence give them peace and hope in their time of need.

Give

Gifts to Gulf Coast Flooding will be used to assist those affected by floodwaters until the response is complete.

Volunteer

There is a desperate need for volunteers in Louisiana area. Help individuals and families get back in their homes by signing up to volunteer. For volunteer opportunities, please reach out to Jessica Vermilyea and visit http://www.volunteerlouisiana.gov/

• Email: jessica.vermilyea@upbring.org
• Phone: 504-376-9121

Connect

To learn more about the situation and the ELCA’s response:

• Share this bulletin insertwith your congregation.
• Sign up to receive Lutheran Disaster Response alerts.
• Check the Lutheran Disaster Response blog.
• Like Lutheran Disaster Response on Facebook and follow @ELCALDR on Twitter.

Today is World Humanitarian Day (WHD). This is a day that highlights the work of humanitarian aid organizations and workers all across the globe. Theirs are the hands and feet on the ground during times of disaster, both natural and man-made. They bring God’s hope to those most vulnerable.

On this day, we also highlight the 130 million people are living in crisis. The United Nations is pushing their Agenda for Humanity. In it, the Secretary-General is calling on global leaders to commit to 5 core responsibilities:

• End and Prevent Conflict
  • 80% of all humanitarian needs are driven by conflict
• Respect Rules of War
  • 90% of people killed or injured by explosive weapons in populated areas are civilians
• Leave No One Behind
• Work Differently to End Need
  • 43% of people live in fragile situations. By 2030 that number is estimated to climb to 62%.
• Invest in Humanity

General Secretary Ban Ki Moon said, “I call upon global leaders to place at the forefront of all policies, strategies and decision-making.” As church, we are called to love our neighbors and to bear each other’s burdens. It is said that this is how we fulfill Christ’s law.

At Churchwide Assembly, the rev. Dan Rift, talked about communities that are experiencing crisis often feel like they aren’t noticed. He said, “Struggling with the aftermath, long after the headlines change, they wonder, ‘are we remembered?’” Humanitarian Aid Organizations and Workers are there to remind those affected by these crises that they are not alone.

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

Connect

To learn more about what Lutheran Disaster Response is doing:

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

To learn more:

• World Humanitarina Day Website
• Visit the World Humanitarian Summit website
  • Chair’s Summary Report
• Report of the UN Secretary-General for the WHS
• Sustainable Development Goals

There is a very real crisis going on and it continues to go mostly unnoticed. Drought is impacting millions of people globally, with southern and eastern Africa the most heavily affected.

Many people are facing a multi-year drought, which has resulted in low crop production, rising food prices and household food insecurity. According to OCHA, the humanitarian impact of the drought has had effects that extend beyond food insecurity; increased levels of malnutrition and difficulty in accessing water have been reported as well as higher school drop-out rates, increased incidence of communicable diseases, child protection violations and rural to urban migration.

Through long standing relationships with companion churches and other trusted partners – we have hands and feet on the ground providing care, support and hope.

In southern Africa, through the Evangelical Lutheran Development Service, Lutheran Disaster Response is providing emergency aid in Malawi. Together, we are developing the capacity of households to become more disaster-resilient. Through the Malagasy Lutheran Church, we are providing immediate life-saving nutrition as well as livelihood support and psychosocial care, with an emphasis on reaching pregnant women, vulnerable children, people who are differently abled, and the elderly. In eastern Africa, areas most affected have been targeted with emergency response and cash-for-work programs. Together, these will help save lives and improve livelihoods, mitigating the effects of the drought.

Rev. Dan Rift said during the Lutheran Disaster Response report to the Churchwide Assembly, “we wonder aloud with our friends… Are we remembered?”

In leaving the assembly, will you remember our neighbors in Africa who are crying out for help. Will you tell a friend? Will you stand with us, our companion churches and partners as we accompany those most vulnerable and continue to bring God’s hope and healing to those who need it most.

Be a part of the response:

Pray
Continue to pray for the people affected by the drought, especially as they work to rebuild their lives. Pray for our companions and partners who are working alongside these communities.

Give
Your gifts are needed to bring lifesaving aid to those impacted by the drought. Gifts designated for “Africa Drought” will be used in full (100 percent) to assist those directly impacted until the response is complete. Gifts from people like you allow us to continue to accompany those in need.

Connect:
To learn more about the situation and the ELCA’s response:

• Share this bulletin insert with your congregation.
• Sign up to receive Lutheran Disaster Response alerts.
• Check the Lutheran Disaster Response blog.
• Like Lutheran Disaster Response on Facebook and follow @ELCALDR on Twitter.

For More Information:

• Until All are Fed
• Needs of the Afflicted: Drought in Ethiopia

In late June, a flash flood swept through West Virginia leaving 23 confirmed dead, large numbers of homes destroyed, and others without power. A little over one month later many are still in the relief stage, while others are beginning the early stages of long-term recovery.

In a recent update with Sherri Shafer, our Lutheran Disaster Response coordinator and Executive Director of Community Lutheran Partners (CLP) in West Virginia, we learned that CLP was able to purchase 4 tractor loads worth of furniture to be distributed once rebuilding begins. We also learned that, in an effort to get back to a normal life, some had started to put up new drywall in their homes before their homes had had a chance to dry out. In the wake of this news, Thanks to CLP and a great deal from Wagner Meters in Washington State, CLP is providing 30 professional quality moisture meters (5 of which were donated by Wagner Meters) to the disaster affected communities. The meters will be under the supervision of WV VOAD and will be tools of great value not only in this disaster but in future disasters.

Along with other efforts, CLP is supporting local emotional and spiritual care efforts by deploying Pastors to emotional and spiritual care sights in West Virginia. In response to a recent Facebook post by Lutheran Disaster Response, Rev. Emilie Theobald-Rowlands, Pastor of Christ Lutheran in West Virginia, reflected on her experience at one of the sights:

… What I am able to tell you is that I have heard and seen stories of amazing resilience and hope; as well as heartache, deep grief and loss. Folks in the communities in these areas continue to work together; but the loss of homes, properties, businesses, livelihoods and for some the loss of loved ones is difficult. The recovery will not be a sprint, but one of long term recovery. Some of the folks I have met in this Center, do not have a safe place yet to stay…and if they are able to stay in their current homes, there is still not clean water or electricity in some parts of the area…mold is becoming a larger concern in many places… we are thankful to all who continue to reach out and help in many different ways through financial donations and volunteers…and I would encourage you to continue to pray for our folks here in West Virginia; and consider helping through Lutheran Disaster Response…in the months and even years ahead – there will be a need both financially and in terms of volunteering to help rebuild these communities. Many thanks for your continued prayers and support. – Rev. Emilie Theobald-Rowlands

Lutheran Disaster Response is thankful for the dedication and the witness of Rev. Theobald-Rowlands. We are also thankful for Sherri Shaffer and our affiliate Community Lutheran Partners, Bishop Matthew Riegel and the West Virginia- West Maryland Synod, as well as, Dale and Jean Peercy, Lutheran Disaster Response’s Trainers/Consultants, various other partners, and last but not least, all of you. Thanks to your donations, we can continue to bring God’s hope and healing to those most vulnerable in 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:

• Use this bulletin insert to share within your networks.
• Visit our website at LDR.org
• Sign up to receive Lutheran Disaster Response alerts.
• Like Lutheran Disaster Response on Facebook.
• Follow us on Twitter.

To learn more or sign up for volunteer opportunities:

• Log onto clp-online.org to download volunteer forms.
• Sign up through Volunteer WV https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/16Floods