Hurricane Response through Church World Service

Hurricane Florence slammed into the North Carolina coast on September 14. The slow-moving storm drenched North and South Carolina with record-breaking rainfall. CNN reports that the storm has been responsible for 36 deaths so far, and thousands remain in shelters. Union Church has collected funds and continues to be a partner with Church World Service, a trusted partner in disaster relief and rebuilding.

So far, more than 7,200 CWS Hygiene Kits, Emergency Cleanup Buckets, School Kits and Blankets have been mobilized for the response nationwide. CWS will continue to process requests as they come in.

As damage assessments and information from impacted areas continue to come in, the CWS team is reaching out to local organizations serving refugee and immigrant populations to consider our long-term response. Reports indicate that farmworker communities in eastern North Carolina were hit particularly hard and need support. In conjunction with local Immigration and Refugee Program teams, CWS teams plan to provide financial and technical support to these organizations and populations. They also plan to reach out to Long-Term Recovery Groups to offer financial and technical assistance.

CWS continues to convene the Development and Humanitarian Assistance Advisory Group, which serves as a space for ecumenical collaboration regarding the response.

Budget

Materials and Shipping: $50,000
Increased Staff Capacity: $26,000
Initial Assessment: $4,000
Small Grants to Local Organizations: $40,000

TOTAL: $120,000

How to Help

Donations can be made online or by check to Union Church, CPO 2105, Berea, KY 40404, or directly to Church World Service, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN 46515 (designate 628H – 2018 U.S. Hurricane Appeal).

To assemble CWS Hygiene Kits, School Kits or Emergency Cleanup Buckets, visit cwskits.org.