Do You Know What Happens After A Natural Disaster?
Rubble after the tornadoes in KY, 2021
We never know when disasters will strike, but a lack of expectation does not need to equal a lack of preparation. With some training and a plan in place, you and your church can be ready to face a crisis when it occurs and respond to your community when they need it most.
Domestic Disaster Response
This April, we are focusing on our Domestic Disaster Response Network, disaster preparedness, volunteering, and how it all works together to help churches reach their communities with the love of Christ.
Do you know what happens after a disaster?
There are three stages to any disaster: first response, emergency relief, and long term recovery.
First Response. When a disaster strikes, first responders provide search and rescue activities.
Emergency Relief. Congregations engage with the community to provide spiritual care, distribution of emergency relief supplies, meals, and coordination of debris removal. Churches may establish volunteer housing and showers for volunteer disaster response teams. The first steps of case management are initiated during Emergency Relief.
Long Term Recovery. Long Term Recovery includes the repair and rebuilding of family homes, providing spiritual care, volunteer coordination, and donations management. Local churches often provide case management of recovery projects or host teams who come to help rebuild.
At every stage, the following four elements are incorporated: spiritual care, volunteer coordination, donations management, and case management. ARDF's Domestic Disaster Response Trips gives volunteers an opportunity to help with long term recovery.
Your Church Can Help with Long Term Recovery with a Trailer!
“Hitch a Trailer & Go” Grant Program
The Hitch a Trailer & Go grant program splits the cost of a sixteen-foot cargo trailer with a partnering church, up to $5000. The church retains full ownership and responsibility for maintenance, and uses them in various ways! Our Disaster Response Coordinator, Tommy Lamb, says: " As I travel and visit with parishes and parishioners, I find trailers are being used to serve neighbors in many creative ways! Some of the uses I have seen include moving parishioners, carrying sound and stage equipment for productions, in addition to carrying tools, materials, and equipment for disaster response. Cargo trailers allow a parish to mobilize its outreach and ministry."
If you are interested in this grant program, please email Tommy for the details.
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