Storm Shelter Pilot Project: Providing physical and emotional security in Tornado Alley
Megan Brandsrud The sky turns green, then black. Heavy rains subside and there is calm before the sudden shift in wind. The severe weather sirens start sounding as an approaching tornado is spotted. People quickly move to their basements or...
Serbia: Post-flood rehabilitation
Megan Brandsrud On May 13, 2014, a cyclone hit Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, resulting in widespread, record flooding and landslides. Overall, approximately 1.6 million people were impacted by the cyclone and the flooding and landslides that followed. Last...
Honduras: Support for returning child migrants
Megan Brandsrud The Honduran government declared a national state of emergency upon the recent mass return of Hondurans, specifically children, who are being sent back from Mexico and the United States. The assistance of several civil society and humanitarian organizations...
Madagascar: Tropical Cyclone Chedza and severe flooding
Megan Brandsrud On Jan. 16, Tropical Cyclone Chedza hit the southwestern part of Madagascar in the Menabe and Melaky regions. Heavy rainfalls followed, which caused severe flooding in most parts of the country. Approximately 174,000 people were affected by the...
Malawi: Flood recovery and community resilience
Megan Brandsrud In January, Malawi was hit with unprecedented flooding after days of heavy rains. Approximately 230,000 people were displaced due to the emergency and more than 200 people died – with more than 100 people still missing. Overall, approximately...
Loving the Neighbor – Guest Post from Rev. Linda Johnson Seyenkulo
Megan Brandsrud This is a guest post from Rev. Linda Johnson Seyenkulo, an ELCA missionary to Liberia. I’ve been thinking about the Good Samaritan story lately and the concept of neighbor. “Who is my neighbor?” the Pharisee asked Jesus. Even...