Spring 2023 Update on ARDF Relief Efforts
The latest news on ARDF Relief Efforts
It’s been a busy three months! We are ever thankful for our General Relief Fund which enables us to respond quickly to disasters all around the world, some of which make our news cycle and others which don’t get much media attention in the United States.
Your Impact:
In the past three months, ARDF sent more than $230,000 in relief funds to Angola, Kenya, Madagascar, Mississippi, Mozambique, Turkey/Syria, and Ukraine.
Cyclone Freddy
One of these little publicized disasters was Cyclone Freddy. The longest tracking cyclone on record, the storm wreaked havoc on our partners in Madagascar and Mozambique. ARDF was able to send our partners funding to help with relief and the rebuilding of structures destroyed by the heavy rains and winds.
Angola - Relief for "Child Headed Households"
In Luanda, the capital of Angola, the Iron Sheet Housing Community consists of families living under $0.50 per day. The Anglican Church is working with these at risk families, including a group of “child headed households.” These are families where there are no adults, and children are left to care for children. In January, ARDF was able to give the Diocese of Divine Hope a grant to assist with food and shelter for these vulnerable families. The church is continuing to work out sustainable solutions.
Ongoing Efforts
ARDF continues to pray for and support our partners in Ukraine, Turkey and Syria, and Northern Kenya. More recently, ARDF has also been privileged to support domestic efforts for the tornadoes in Mississippi. Disaster response is not a one-time event, and the Church’s presence and support is a powerful incarnational witness of the never-failing love of Christ.
The severe drought in Northern Kenya has lasted 6 years!
Work continues in Turkey and Syria.
YWAM Slavic ministries in Ukraine is handing out sleeping bags rated for low temperatures in response to the shortage of electricity for heat.
Highlights from our Disaster Response Network Coordinator, Tommy Lamb
“Hitch a Trailer & Go” Grant Program
When visiting with presbyters and lay leaders about developing a parish disaster response program, I often hear that storage space is scarce and the storing of relief supplies is challenging. As a result of this feedback, ARDF has announced the “Hitch a Trailer & Go” program, granting up to $5000 toward the purchase of a sixteen-foot cargo trailer. The benefits of owning a cargo trailer to a parish’s missions and outreach programs are many, including not only the storing and delivering of disaster relief supplies, but also other parish and community activities such as enabling church or youth groups the ability to transport camping and outdoor equipment to a camp out or retreat, facilitating the moving of parishioners, or transporting band and stage equipment for concert or stage productions, just to name a few. The number of Hitch a Trailer & Go grants is limited, so please reach out to Tommy Lamb, Director, ARDF National Disaster Network, at tommy@ardf.org for more information.
Upcoming Disaster Response Trips
Does your parish have a group interested in serving survivors of a natural disaster? Please join ARDF and one of our long-term recovery (LTR) partners in one of the following opportunities. Begin the process by completing the volunteer webform. You will receive a follow up call from Tommy. No experience is necessary, only a willing heart, and many different gifts and talents are welcomed!
April 23 - 29, 2023 Appalachia, KY. Rebuilding after flooding of July, 2022
ARDF Partner - The North American Lutheran Church (NALC)May 19 - 27, 2023 Ft. Myers, FL. Rebuilding after Hurricane Ian, Sept. 2022
ARDF Partner - Eight Days of HopeJune 10 - 16, 2023 Ft. Myers, FL. Rebuilding after Hurricane Ian, Sept. 2022
Stay tuned for additional details coming soon!July 23 - 28, 2023 Madisonville, KY. Rebuilding after tornadoes of Dec. 2021
ARDF Partner - The Fuller Center for Housing Disaster Rebuilders This week is currently full.July 30 - August 5, 2023 Madisonville, KY. Rebuilding after tornadoes of Dec. 2021
ARDF Partner - The Fuller Center for Housing Disaster RebuildersAugust - September, 2023 Ft. Myers, FL. Rebuilding after Hurricane Ian, Sept. 2022
Stay tuned for additional details coming soon!
Thank you for your prayers and your support of ARDF's relief efforts! We are thrilled to play a small role in helping churches demonstrate the love of Jesus through these tangible acts of compassion.
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