Lutheran Disaster Response

Megan Brandsrud

Red River 1997 flood 05

In mid-April 1997, following a harsh winter with above-normal snowfall, the Red River of the North flooded the Red River Valley, resulting in the worst flood in the area since 1826. The riverbed that is normally 100 yards became 25 miles wide. The Red River flooded 2,200 square miles in North Dakota, an area twice the size of Rhode Island.

Cities from Fargo, N.D., to Winnipeg were impacted, but none as severely as the greater Grand Forks, N.D., area. Nearly all of Grand Forks’ 52,000 residents had to be evacuated while more than 75 percent of the city was engulfed by the flood.

In the end, the impacted regions experienced more than $3.5 billion in flood damages.

Governmental agencies, non-profit organizations and faith-based agencies from around the country responded to the Red River flood. Lutheran Disaster Response, working through our affiliate, Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota, joined other responding agencies to form the Resource Agencies Flood Team (RAFT) to best provide efficient, relevant service to those impacted by the flood.

Lutheran Disaster Response assisted in providing financial assistance for personal items and home rebuilding, coordinating volunteers for home rebuilding, matching donations with needs, and providing encouragement and spiritual support. Lutheran Disaster Response also loaned out equipment to homeowners for rebuilding and provided sheetrock to Lutheran churches.

Since the 1997 Red River flood, the greater Grand Forks area has implemented changes to prevent a disaster of this size from occurring again. Permanent dirt and clay dikes were constructed in areas of the city, and East Grand Forks, Minn., widened the area next to the river by moving businesses behind a new wall. The downtown businesses of Grand Forks and East Grand Forks are protected by a permanent brick/cement wall system constructed along the riverbank.

On this 17^th anniversary of the Red River flood, we turn to God to pay memory to the trial and give thanks for the renewal and hope found in the promise of His love.

Then God said to Noah, “Go out of the ark…Bring out with you every living thing…so that they may abound on the earth.” Then Noah built an altar to the Lord. Genesis 8: 15, 17, 20

Megan Brandsrud

Namibia cash grants Namibia is facing one of the worst droughts it has seen in more than 25 years. According to a report from the United Nations, 778,504 people do not have food security, and 169,000 children are at risk of malnutrition.

Certain areas of the country have experienced some rainfall and have started to plant fields, but it is too early to guarantee a secure harvest. Food stocks are depleted and market prices are extremely high for both food and seed.

This situation demands immediate action because people can’t wait for a bountiful harvest; they need food right now. Working with Lutheran World Federation (LWF), Lutheran Disaster Response has added $80,000 to our July 2013 disbursement of $150,000 for those impacted by the drought conditions.

The funds will be used to provide cash grants to 4,860 people living in four of the hardest hit communities in Namibia. The cash grants will help people cover their basic food needs during this transition period before harvest. Money paid out will be stored on a chip card that will be issued to the designated family member. Both male and female heads of households will be included in this distribution process. Unlike in-kind distribution of goods, these cash grants allow families to prioritize their spending based on their own needs, as not all households have the same needs even though they are affected by the same disaster.

Our global companion churches, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia will help with the implementation of the food security projects.

The drought has caused malnutrition, which has led to disease and death. Children are the most vulnerable to these effects. Thanks to your gifts, we are able to help provide where resources are needed most. We will continue to walk with our brothers and sisters in Namibia and pray for food security.

Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:35, 37

Megan Brandsrud

Lutheran Disaster Response has a long history of providing clean, unpolluted water for drinking, cooking and cleaning in areas that have experienced disaster. We have many water programs around the world, from places impacted by drought to refugee camps where potable water is scarce. Below are two programs where your gifts helped provide clean water.

Uganda

Working with The Lutheran World Federation (LWF), we have implemented a safe water project among Congolese refugees in Rwamwanja Settlement of the Kamwenge District in Uganda. Ten deep boreholes were drilled and installed in and around the settlement, and water source committees were formed to provide education about sanitation and to help maintain the boreholes.

borehole - Uganda

Providing additional water sources reduced the distance and time taken to access clean water, and they increased the level of safe water consumption in households. This meant that there was a decrease in the number of waterborne diseases and an improvement in overall health and diet. The reduced distance also meant that traveling to get water became safer for women and girls, who are often vulnerable to sexual and gender-based violence.

Some water points were provisioned near the camp’s host community, which also promoted a peaceful co-existence between the refugees and the host community members.

Kenya

In partnership with The LWF introducing solar water filter Lutheran World Federation, we have been a part of a pilot solar safe water system in Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya. The project aims to support environmental conservation through alternative energy and to reduce the number of waterborne diseases.

The device is specially designed to use heat, UV light and a built in filter to clean contaminated water. The system generates approximately 40-60 liters of safe water per household every day. This water has had a profound impact on the community. Children suffer from less illnesses and eye infections by having easy access to clean, warm water. Firewood use has decreased by 20 percent since water no longer has to be boiled to make it potable. People have also said that the easy access to safe water gives them more free time, which is now spent on income-generating activities, such as agriculture.

Water is a precious resource. The United Nations reports that 783 million people do not have access to clean water, and almost 2.5 billion people do not have access to adequate sanitation. Because of this, 6-8 million people die every year from water-related diseases. Potable water programs have a huge impact on communities. Thanks to your generosity, Lutheran Disaster Response is able to help implement clean water programs in areas that have been impacted by disaster. We continue to pray for those who thirst, and we will continue to walk with those who are dealing with the vast consequences of disasters.

The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the Lord will answer them. – Isaiah 41:17

Pictured:

Above: Pump head of a drilled borehole. Below: Member of LWF introducing the solar water filter.

Megan Brandsrud

Beneficiaries of Food and Clothing Distribution in CAR

March 3, 2014

Violence and security continue to be concerns for our brothers and sisters in the Central African Republic (CAR). Of the country’s 4.6 million people, approximately 2.5 are in need of assistance, according to a recent report from the United Nations.

On Feb. 8 and 9, members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Central African Republic (EELRCA) distributed rice, vegetable oil and clothing to 10,202 people impacted by violence in the country. With funds from Lutheran Disaster Response – International and Mission Afrika, a total of 50 tons of rice, 4,890 liters of vegetable oil and 41 packages of gently-used clothing were distributed from the EELRCA head office and the main mosque in the Haoussa neighborhood of Bouar.

The food distribution was a long process of purchasing the food, measuring out rations, and delivering the food under the risks of security and personal safety. However, the EELRCA is committed to serving and assisting people in CAR, despite the obstacles. Amidst the crisis, the church is still living and acting as the church as the Gospel continues to be proclaimed through word and deed.

After listening to the joys of the beneficiaries, Rev. André Golike of the EELRCA said, “When you live and share in people’s lives, you know them and understand what they need. Others give us soy, which is not something we eat very often. Our partner [the ELCA] gave us rice and clothing. This is what we eat. Many people have lost everything. Now they have clothes to wear.”

People of the region continue to show up at the church head office seeking assistance, as the church is looked to as a great source of support during this crisis. We will continue to pray for peace as we walk with our brothers and sisters in the Central African Republic and provide assistance to those who remain impacted by the on-going violence.

The EELRCA provided food and clothing to 10,202 individuals:

2,984 children ages 0-5 years
3,727 children ages 6-15 years
3,491 adults

Megan Brandsrud

Dzaipi Reception Centre, Adjumani 22 January 2014. Photo by Mai Gad, DCA,LWF,ACT

Feb. 12, 2014

For several months, there has been tension within the South Sudanese ruling party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM). When President Salva Kiir, an ethnic Dinka, dismissed his vice president, Riek Machar, an ethnic Nuer, tensions increased and evolved from a power struggle into an ethnic clash. In the evening of Dec. 15, 2013, heavy armed fighting broke out. There have been reports of mass killings and other human rights violations.

More than 868,000 South Sudanese have fled their homes since the violence started. While neighboring countries have opened their borders to receive refugees, resources are running thin. We are a church that is committed to peace and justice, and Lutheran Disaster Response – International has committed more than $700,000 to support those who have been affected by this crisis. Working through our local partners, we will respond in:

South Sudan

Working with Lutheran World Federation (LWF), we will be assisting 20,000 IDPs in Fangak and will begin to support IDPs in Benui. We will also continue to provide assistance to 90,000 refugees across five camps. Assistance includes distributing non-food items and providing protection.

Uganda

Uganda has accepted many South Sudanese refugees (85 percent being women and children), and the transit centers are full. The severe overcrowding means new arrivals must sleep outside, which leaves them unprotected and at risk of disease and dehydration. We are working with LWF to ramp up water, sanitation and hygiene services.

Kenya

South Sudanese refugees have been arriving daily at Kakuma camp since early January. Two-thirds of the arrivals are children, and 20 percent of them are unaccompanied and separated. We will work with LWF to provide child protection and education programs. LWF partners will also help expand the water system at Kakuma.

Ethiopia

Ethiopia has seen the largest surge in newly-arrived refugees. Through LWF, we will provide potable drinking water and improve sanitation facilities and hygiene services to refugees in Lietchor and Tongo refugee camps.

Chad:

Through LWF, we will be working with the World Food Program (WFP) to respond to the influx of people and distribute food to the newly arrived refugees and those sheltering in transit centers.

We are committed to walking with our brothers and sisters affected by this crisis, and we will continue to pray for peace. Your gifts will help us continue to care for the most vulnerable.

Megan Brandsrud

HandinHandGarden

On Jan. 20, Martin Luther King, Jr.’s National Day of Service, Lutheran Social Ministries of New Jersey (LSMNJ) organized more than 50 volunteers who offered a helping hand to the many people in the area still dealing with impacts from Superstorm Sandy. Volunteers, ranging in age from 7 to 65 years old, hauled debris, prepared the community garden at the Visitation Relief Center in Brick, N.J., helped insulate pipes in a home impacted by the storm, tore out damaged flooring at an American Legion Hall, and assisted in several other projects.

Every month, LSMNJ Disaster Response organizes a “Hand in Hand” Sandy Service Day in coordination with area long-term recovery groups and other partnering recovery organizations.

Assistant Disaster Recovery Coordinator Alex Elefante is impressed by the selflessness of the volunteers that show up at the monthly events. “They amaze me each time,” Elefante says. “The positive impact they have on the lives of those still affected by Superstorm Sandy, even if for a little while, is tremendous.

The next “Hand in Hand” Sandy Service Day will be Feb. 15. To sign up or learn more about the volunteer event, visitwww.lsmnj.org.

Honoring the 17th Anniversary of the Red River Flood

Namibia: Cash Grants Help Provide Food Security During Drought

World Water Day 2014

Central African Republic: Companion Church Distributes Food and Clothing

South Sudan: Providing Relief to People Displaced by Violence

New Jersey: Lutheran Disaster Response Affiliate Hosts a “Hand in Hand” Sandy Service Day