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Unaccompanied and Migrant Children: DC Metro Synod visits companions in El Salvador

Megan Brandsrud

​OurWork_Disaster_UnaccompaniedMigrantChildren

While news of children and families migrating to the U.S. from Central America may have slipped from national headlines, Lutheran Disaster Response is still at work providing education on the situation and assisting our partners and affiliates in caring for these refugees.

Through more visits to the border and a roundtable conference with our companion churches in Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, we as a church are continuing to advocate and provide assistance to those who are running for safety and security.

Read the following article published in Fairfax Times to learn about how the D.C. Metro Synod in the U.S. is accompanying our brothers and sisters in El Salvador.

“The (migrant) children are coming”

By: Marion McInturff

Nigeria: Emergency assistance for people fleeing as attacks continue

Megan Brandsrud

​LCCN

Nigerians are fleeing amidst continued attacks that are believed to be the actions of Boko Haram. On Nov. 10, 2014, there was a massacre of 48 people near the territory of the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN). This attack is one example of a trend that continues to show attacks worsening in the northern and eastern part of Nigeria where the LCCN is active.

While Nigerians continue to flee, receiving communities are dealing with an influx of internally-displaced persons (IDPs). A youth center outside of Yola, the state capital of Adamawa State, has almost 9,500 refugees living in it, which means that Yola is now struggling to feed and provide humanitarian assistance for the growing number of people arriving.

Working through the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria, Lutheran Disaster Response is assisting internally-displaced persons in the Yola region by providing 200 blankets, 500 mosquito nets, 200 mattresses, clothes and food packages.

Lutheran Disaster Response will continue to walk with the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria and our brothers and sisters who are seeking safety. Join us as we pray for peace, that the attacks will end and the people of Nigeria will find safety. While doing so, we also remember other countries around the world that are in the midst of conflict.

Gracious and holy God, lead us from death to life, from falsehood to truth. Lead us from despair to hope, from fear to trust. Lead us from hate to love, from war to peace. Let peace fill our hearts, our world, our universe; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

If you would like to support Lutheran Disaster Response’s work in Nigeria, please visit the Lutheran Disaster Response giving page.

Illinois: One year after the November tornado outbreak

Megan Brandsrud

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Washington, IL, Dec. 7, 2013-- A truck is wrapped around a tree from from the Nov. 17, 2013 tornado in the Georgetown Common apartments. Residents impacted by the tornado are encouraged to register with FEMA by calling (800)-621-3362 or (TTY) (800) 462-7585 or online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. Jocelyn Augustino/FEMA

Washington, IL, Dec. 7, 2013– A truck is wrapped around a tree from from the Nov. 17, 2013 tornado in the Georgetown Common apartments. Residents impacted by the tornado are encouraged to register with FEMA by calling (800)-621-3362 or (TTY) (800) 462-7585 or online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
Jocelyn Augustino/FEMA

Pictured: Damage in Washington, Ill., caused by November 2013 tornadoes. Augustino/FEMA

One year ago, on Nov. 17, 2013, a storm system that consisted of 73 tornadoes moved through the Midwest. Illinois was severely impacted—the tornado system that hit the state was the fourth deadliest and costliest to occur in Illinois with six deaths and more than $1 billion in damages.

Immediately after the storm, Lutheran Disaster Response began assessing the situation in collaboration with our affiliate, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois. Since then, thanks to your support, we have been active in case management work in the communities of Washington, Brookport and Gifford to help people who were impacted by the tornadoes navigate their way through the recovery process.

A House after the Storm

Ray and Marcina Warfield live in Brookport, Ill., where 44 homes were destroyed and 127 homes were damaged. At the time the tornado tore through their community, the Warfields were out of town visiting family. They were happy to have been safe from the storm, but when they returned, they saw that their mobile home had been destroyed in the tornado’s path.

The Warfields applied for assistance with FEMA and initially planned to purchase another used mobile home. However, they changed their minds after meeting with a case manager through the long-term recovery group, which is supported in part by Lutheran Disaster Response. The Warfields’ case manager suggested applying their resources toward a new home instead, which would provide them more security. Being in their 70s and having always lived in a mobile home, the Warfields were a little apprehensive, but they put their trust in the long-term recovery group.

Work crews and volunteers immediately began building the Warfields a new house on the property where their mobile home was. Every night, the Warfields would help out by cleaning the work site and throwing out trash. During the day, they spent time getting to know the crews working on their house and expressing their gratitude. In August, the Warfields’ new home was dedicated and they moved in.

“Never in our dreams did we think we would live in a real home,” Marcina Warfield said.

Warfields from Brookport in front of their new home

Pictured: Ray and Marcina Warfield stand in front of their new home in Brookport, Ill.

Thanks to your generosity, Lutheran Disaster Response has been active in Illinois to work with families, like the Warfields, who experienced loss from the tornadoes. We continue to work with the communities and provide case management to help those who were impacted adjust to their “new normal.” Thank you for your prayers and support for Lutheran Disaster Response and the communities of Washington, Brookport and Gifford. Please join us in giving thanks for the rebuilding that has happened and praying for continued recovery!

Ebola Outbreak: Food assistance in Liberia

Megan Brandsrud

​ebola-west-africa (LWF)

(Photo courtesy of Lutheran World Federation)

The Ebola outbreak in West Africa continues to expand. There have now been more than 13,560 cases of infected persons and more than 4,950 deaths. While the disease itself continues to ravage communities and elicit fear and stigma, there are consequential impacts of the disease that are also severe, such as food shortage.

The closing of borders and sea ports and the decline in trade has left the region in a tough financial and food situation. Many farmers have abandoned their land out of fear, which has led to a decrease in food production and an increase in prices for the food that is available.

A report from the United Nations says that while the countries impacted with Ebola try to contain the virus, they are also facing a new hurdle with an approximate one million people in the region who are in need of food assistance.

In mid-September, Lutheran Disaster Response provided food assistance to our companion churches in Liberia and Sierra Leone. We are now again providing food assistance to our brothers and sisters in Liberia through our companion church, the Lutheran Church in Liberia. Approximately one thousand households in six targeted areas of Liberia will receive a month’s supply of oil, rice and fish.

Liberia continues to be the country that is struggling with the most cases of Ebola, and communities remain quarantined and families have been isolated. Bishop Seyenkulo of the Lutheran Church in Liberia says that lack of food continues to be a main concern all over the country due to the fact that quarantines and isolations prevent people from being able to harvest or maintain a sustainable livelihood.

While the Ebola crisis continues to impact families in West Africa both directly and indirectly, Lutheran Disaster Response will continue to walk with our brothers and sisters.  We pray for healing and comfort for those who are fighting this disease themselves. We pray for strength and protection for medical workers. God of life and love everlasting, hear our cries for mercy, comfort and help.

Please join us in praying for an end to this disease. If you would like to support Lutheran Disaster Response’s work in the fight against Ebola, please visit the Ebola Outbreak giving page.

Typhoon Haiyan – One Year Later

Megan Brandsrud

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Participants in a cash for work program clean up debris in Tacloban, a city in the Philippines province of Leyte that was hit hard by Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013. The storm was known locally as Yolanda. The ACT Alliance has been active here and in affected communities throughout the region helping survivors to rebuild their homes and recover their livelihoods.

Participants in a cash for work program clean up debris in Tacloban, a city in the Philippines province of Leyte that was hit hard by Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013. The storm was known locally as Yolanda. The ACT Alliance has been active here and in affected communities throughout the region helping survivors to rebuild their homes and recover their livelihoods.

(Photo: Participants in a cash-for-work program help clean up debris in Tacloban, a city in the Philippines province of Leyte. ACT/Paul Jeffrey)

On Nov. 8, 2014, Typhoon Haiyan, known locally as Typhoon Yolanda, crashed into the central Philippines. For the next several days, heavy rainfall and top-speed winds wreaked havoc on the region. The typhoon, one of the strongest recorded storms to ever make landfall, impacted 14 million people, took the lives of 6,300 people, damaged or destroyed 1 million homes and caused $2 billion in damages.

One year later, we take a look back at a busy year of recovering and rebuilding. Thanks to your generosity in giving almost $2.5 million and because of our network of partners on the ground in the Philippines, Lutheran Disaster Response has been active in the recovery since the very beginning. Just days after the typhoon made landfall, we began working with Lutheran World Relief to provide for emergency needs and to help people get back to their homes as soon as possible. Today, we are still in the Philippines and working with Lutheran World Relief and the National Council of Churches in the Philippines to continue the recovery, restoring and rebuilding.

Shelter

With more than one million homes destroyed or damaged by the typhoon, almost fourmillion people were without shelter after the storm. Within 10 days of the storm making landfall, we were working with Lutheran World Relief to distribute shelter repair kits consisting of plywood, coco lumber, iron roofing sheets, nails, a hammer and a handsaw. Today, more than 26,700 people have received a shelter repair kit.

Water

The storm damaged many water systems, including those for sanitation and safe drinking water. During the past year, more than 240 community water filtration units have been installed and more than 88 wells have been constructed or repaired. In addition to restoring these public water systems, hygiene kits were delivered to more than 65,000 people. We continue our efforts as we work with partners to construct family latrines that will assist more than 11,000 people.

Livelihood Rehabilitation

Cash-for-work activities, such as debris removal or cleaning out irrigation canals, were implemented to give people an opportunity to help rebuild their communities while also earn income to provide for their families. Almost 24,000 people have participated.

Non-Food Items

While people’s homes were damaged by the storm, so were their personal items inside their homes. Many non-food items such as kitchen sets, mosquito nets, baby-care kits and school kits were distributed immediately after the storm to help families with short-term needs. More than 16,000 people received a solar lamp, which serves not only as a light source but also a power-charging station that requires no electricity.

Food

Food shortage continues to be a major concern, even one year after the typhoon. Food sources were depleted after the storm and harvests were interrupted. Working with the National Council of Churches in the Philippines, we will distribute food baskets with rations for two-week periods to more than 20,000 people through the end of January 2015, as needed.

Resiliency

While we continue to assist in the rebuilding and recovery after Typhoon Haiyan, we are also working with the National Council of Churches in the Philippines to help build resiliency with our brothers and sisters in the Philippines. Together, we will construct two multi-purpose community centers and evacuation shelters that will serve as venues for disaster preparedness training workshops in non-disaster times.

Recovery Continues

The journey of recovery still has a long road, but together, we are making great accomplishments and progress every day. While we lift up prayers for the physical rebuilding that continues to take place in the Philippines, we especially say prayers for the continued emotional and spiritual healing that our brothers and sisters are going through as they remember their loved ones they lost and adjust to their new way of life after Typhoon Haiyan. Your gifts and prayers have made it possible for us to serve as church together during this time of need. Please continue to hold our brothers and sisters in the Philippines in your prayers as we embark with them on this next year of recovery.

Ebola Outbreak – Awareness and Prevention in Sierra Leone

Megan Brandsrud

​Hand washing station in Sierra Leone

As of Oct. 29, 2014, Sierra Leone has had 5,235 documented cases of Ebola and 1,500 documented deaths. However, the World Health Organization says these numbers could be severely underestimated. Ebola transmission continues to be persistent in Sierra Leone, and all districts in the country have reported at least one confirmed or suspected case of Ebola since this outbreak began.

Since this outbreak is the first time that Ebola has impacted Sierra Leone, the people were not prepared or well-educated about the virus, its symptoms, and its means of transmission or prevention and containment methods. The lack of prior information and the spreading of misinformation has broken down trust and created alarming concern in communities.

Working with the Council of Churches in Sierra Leone, Lutheran Disaster Response is helping create greater community awareness to help bring the Ebola crisis under control. Priorities are focused on building awareness, teaching prevention strategies, addressing myths related to Ebola and treatment facilities, building trust in communities, and providing support regarding anti-stigmatization.

Companions in Response

Many ELCA congregations and synods in the U.S. have joined in the fight against Ebola by showing solidarity, joining in prayer and raising funds. The ELCA’s Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod has raised more than $85,000 to send supplies to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sierra Leone, the synod’s companion church. To date, the synod has sent three containers with Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and Steramine, a highly-concentrated disinfectant, to Sierra Leone. Funds have also been used for food assistance.

“People have been motivated to give to these projects because we know our friends in Sierra Leone face-to-face,” says the Rev. Kevin Kanouse, bishop to the Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod. “We have met them; we have walked with them through their war and recovery. We know that loving our brothers and sisters is central to our call as disciples of Jesus and we find joy and purpose in helping in this way. We assure them that we are praying for them, and they pray for us, as well. They do not walk alone in this tragedy; they have our love and encouragement, and they have God’s peace, love and hope.”

While Ebola continues to impact Sierra Leone and other countries in West Africa, the disease is taking a toll on other aspects of life, including food security and healthcare regarding non-Ebola related illnesses. Please continue to hold West Africa in your prayers as we journey on in this fight against Ebola. If you would like to support Lutheran Disaster Response’s work in the Ebola Outbreak Response, please visit the response giving page.

(Pictured: Hand-washing station during prevention training in Sierra Leone. Photo courtesy of Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod.)