wfn.org | Lutherans Provide Relief from Disasters Across Country

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

October 21, 2002

LUTHERANS PROVIDE RELIEF FROM DISASTERS ACROSS COUNTRY
02-245-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR), a ministry of
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and Lutheran Church-
Missouri Synod (LCMS), continues to help survivors recover from
hurricanes, record-breaking rainfall, tropical storms and other
disasters across the country.
     Response to a disaster is often carried out by a local team
providing emergency supplies, offering pastoral care and counseling,
coordinating volunteer efforts in relief and rebuilding, and providing
grants to victims. This response is coordinated with other interfaith
and community efforts.
     In early October, "Hurricane Isidore dumped a foot of rain along
the Gulf Coast and Hurricane Lili added an additional eight inches of
rain and 100 mile-per-hour winds," said the Rev. Gilbert B. Furst, LDR
director.  "Damage from Hurricane Isidore is estimated to be $70
million, and Hurricane Lili an additional $150 million.  Damage
assessment is still underway," he said.
     Lutheran Social Services of the South, Austin, Texas, is managing
LDR's disaster response to those hurricanes, Furst said.  ELCA Domestic
Disaster Response provided a $5,000 grant to Peace Lutheran Church,
Slidell, La., for emergency and unmet needs in that community, he said.
     "So far this year LDR has responded to 12 new natural disasters,
many of them major," Furst reported.  Major disaster response continues
in New York, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C., following the Sept. 11,
2001, terrorist attacks in those areas, he said.
     LDR continues to provide "help and hope to thousands of people of
all ages whose lives have been thrown into chaos by disasters," Furst
said.  LDR continues recovery efforts in:
     + Arizona.  Two unincorporated communities in the state were
affected by fires this summer.	In one community, 106 of its 366 houses
burned.  Some people continue to live in tents, Furst said.  Lutheran
Social Ministry of the Southwest, Tucson, Ariz., is coordinating LDR
response there.  LDR provided a $35,640 grant to continue recovery
efforts.
     + Minnesota.  Record-breaking rainfall caused severe flooding in
Mahnomen, Roseau and Wright counties in northern Minnesota.  About 420
households in Mahnomen, 1,171 in Roseau and 852 in Wright have filed
with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for assistance.  "In
Roseau, 90 percent of homes and businesses were flooded.  Churches
throughout the area sustained damage," Furst said.  Lutheran Social
Services of Minnesota, St. Paul, is managing LDR response.  LDR provided
a $25,841 grant to support emergency response work, casework and 'care
to care-giver' events, Furst said.
     + Texas.  Last year Tropical Storm Allison caused more than $4
billion worth of damage to homes and other property in Houston.  Forty-
three people died and more than 47,000 houses flooded as a result of the
storm.	Lutheran volunteers from across the country are working with
skilled workers from the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee to
rebuild.  Lutheran Social Services of the South is managing LDR recovery
efforts.
     +	Wisconsin.  A tornado "ripped through" the heart of downtown
Ladysmith, Wis., on Sept. 2, Furst said.  "About 60 homes were lost in
the 4,000-resident community," he said.  Lutheran Social Services of
Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, Milwaukee, is managing LDR efforts there.
LDR provided a $22,826 grant to support relief work.
     "There are many more examples" in which staff, volunteers and
others have "done good throughout the country," Furst said.

DOMESTIC DISASTERS:

Editors: When listing organizations receiving funds for aid to survivors
of major disasters inside the United States, Puerto Rico or the U.S.
Virgin Islands, please include:

ELCA Domestic Disaster Response
P.O. Box 71764
Chicago, IL  60694-1764
800-638-3522

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html