Hurricane Matthew ripped through the Caribbean and southeastern U.S. coast, leaving hundreds of casualties, thousands of homes destroyed and millions of people displaced and without power. Lutheran Disaster Response has committed to being present internationally and here in the U.S. Learn more about the different responses:

International

In Haiti alone, there have been 473 confirmed casualties. Many more were injured and about 75 are still reported missing. More than 2.1 million have been affected by the hurricane, with over 1.4 million in need of assistance according to a report from OCHA. Lutheran Disaster Response, through key partners on the ground, is helping to provide emergency relief, addressing the immediate needs of the most affected communities. We are also working directly with the Lutheran Church of Haiti (ELH). We will continue to accompany our companions, partners, and the people of Haiti through this emergency.

In Cuba, while there have been no reported casualties, many homes, community buildings, and roads were either destroyed or damaged. More than 176,000 people in five municipalities of Guantánamo had no communication for more than 24 hours due to the collapse of bridges, falling trees, overflowing rivers and water walls, coastal flooding and landslides. Ricardo Suarez, a resident of Baracoa, one of the worst affected areas, said “Matthew devastated this city.” Food security for the region was also compromised due to the destruction of coconut, banana and cocoa plantations, which are the main sources of livelihood in the area.

Through our partners, the Cuban Council of Churches (CIC), we are accompanying survivors through the emergency relief phase with food distribution, water and sanitation. This is the first time that the ELCA, through the Global Mission unit, have engaged in responding to a disaster in Cuba. While the situation is unfortunate, we are thankful that this partnership is possible and we will continue to accompany the Cuban Council of Churches and the Cuban people during this time.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

United States

Across, Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas, Synods, have reached out to congregations. Most church buildings did not receive any major damage, though several members across all states have been affected. Our affiliated social ministry organizations worked hard to get clients evacuated and then back into their space. Early on, before and after the storm hit many ELCA congregations and other affiliate ministries were stepping in to be a resource their communities, showing what it means to be “church together.”

Before the storm reached the area, Camp Kinard in South Carolina invited anyone still needing lodging to take shelter there. Almost 40 people accepted the offer and had a safe place to wait out the storm. way. “We thank you on behalf of [our family] for helping us in this time of need,” one family said. “At the exact moment, God put you in our path when we didn’t have a place to go.”

Our work is not done. In some of the affected areas in the U.S., flood waters hadn’t started to recede until early this week, a whole 2 weeks after the onset of the event. On the ground, in all of the affected states, synods and congregations, affiliate-organizations, and Lutheran Disaster Response coordinators continue to collaborate with local community leaders, civic organizations, ecumenical partners and officials to do initial damage assessments and plan proper responses.

Lutheran Disaster Response will continue to accompany congregations, synods, trusted partners and companion churches  that know the communities well and will walk with people on the road to recovery.

Be a part of the response:

Pray

Please pray for the people who have been affected and are in the path of Hurricane Matthew. May God’s healing presence give them peace and hope in their time of need.

Give

Gifts to “Hurricane Matthew” will be used to assist those affected by the hurricane until the response is complete.

Connect: 

Stay connected to the latest events and our response to this and other disasters:

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

On October 4, 2015, The Carolinas were struck with catastrophic rainfall that shattered records and left unprecedented scenes of flooding in its wake. The hardest-hit areas stretched from Columbia, in the middle of South Carolina, all the way to the coast. The flooding led  to several casualties, tens of thousands left without power, major highway and interstate closings, and many homes completely destroyed.

Pastor Joseph Chu, Associate Program Director, Lutheran Disaster Response – US, reflects on hearing the news and the church’s initial response.

October 4th, a year ago, was a Sunday. I remember receiving a call in the afternoon from our disaster coordinator, George Knox of Lutheran Services Carolinas (LSC) in Columbia, S.C. telling me that “…there is water everywhere in South Carolina.” Soon we learned that the deadly rain that had taken nearly 20 lives and devastated more than 20 counties was a 1 in 1,000 year event. The first week in October is the time of the Conference of the Bishops here at ELCA Churchwide organization in Chicago. On Monday, October 5, we took the opportunity to reach out to the bishop of the North Carolina Synod and South Carolina Synod, respectively. Fortunately, the impacts on North Carolina were not significant but South Carolina was literally under water.

Leaders of the South Carolina Synod, together with many ELCA congregations in the state, did an enormous job in being CHURCH in times of disaster. They provided emotional and spiritual care to survivors through special worship services and being present among those impacted. A number of churches became relief centers for flood survivors who have experienced enormous losses to receive drinking water and other necessary daily supplies. Our members and pastors also formed teams to deliver relief supplies to impacted communities that were isolated.

We knew from the very beginning the response rto this 1,000 year flood would be a multi-year endeavor. For many survivors, particularly the most disadvantaged residents, the flood added an additional layer of hardship to their lives. and their road to their “new normal” would take a long time.

From the beginning, we have been working very closely with LSC to plan the proper response. Consistent with the long term recovery focus of Lutheran Disaster Response, LSC is currently implementing a disaster case management program with professional disaster case managers serving the most vulnerable population in both Lexington and Richland Counties.

On the anniversary of the event, the South Carolina Synod released a video where they presented LSC with a check for $65,089.88. These dollars were the remaining balance of what was so graciously shared with the synod during the days and weeks right after the 2015 flood event. These funds were given to LSC to be used to meet the needs of the people of South Carolina who have experienced flood damage but find themselves in the gap between insurance coverage and government assistance. Lutheran Disaster Response Coordinator, George Knox of LSC, said, “It feels good to know that if we can’t connect someone with the resources they need, we may be able to provide it, and make their recovery just a little bit easier.”

The road to recovery will be long for those in South Carolina but, Lutheran Disaster Response will continue to accompany survivors, bringing God’s hope, healing and renewal to people whose lives have been disrupted.

As we commemorate this event, let us pray for the countries and U.S. states that on the path of Hurricane Matthew. The National Hurricane Center calls Matthew “extremely dangerous,” and conditions are favorable for it to maintain its strength. In areas of Haiti, Cuba and the Dominican Republic, Hurricane Matthew has left a trail of destruction with landslides, streets flooded and homes flattened. Where the hurricane hit the hardest, Lutheran Disaster Response has local partners and companions ready to respond.

Your support through Lutheran Disaster Response will bring God’s hope and healing to those who have been or will be affected by this hurricane. Our response already spans across several countries. Together, we will work with trusted partners and companion churches that know the communities well and are preparing recovery efforts. Although the hurricane has not yet reached the U.S. coast, Lutheran Disaster Response coordinators are collaborating with local community leaders, civic organizations, ecumenical partners and officials to begin planning the proper response.

Be a part of the response:

Pray

Please pray for the people who have been affected and are in the path of Hurricane Matthew. May God’s healing presence give them peace and hope in their time of need.

Give

Gifts to “Hurricane Matthew” will be used to assist those affected by the hurricane until the response is complete.

Connect: 

Stay connected to the latest events and our response to this and other disasters:

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