9/13/2017
The Right Reverend Sam Rodman, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, shares Episcopal Relief and Development’s guidance for supporting communities in the wake of a natural disaster. Donate to ERD and learn about more ways to help at episdionc.org.
Episcopal Relief & Development has established a Hurricane Relief Fund so relief can be provided where the need is greatest regardless of the hurricane’s name or location. The preference now is that donations be marked “Hurricane Relief Fund.” However, donations marked for a named hurricane will be used for that hurricane. Donations to this fund will allow us to respond wherever there might be a hurricane, regardless of name/location. This fund was added as we now have two active hurricanes and a third developing. This fund will allow us to respond in international areas where these storms have made a great impact as well. Use this link to donate:
http://www.episcopalrelief.org/what-you-can-do/give/donate-now/individual-donation
Here is a blog post from someone who dealt with the Hurricane Katrina aftermath – it’s simple, but very effective in explaining how incredibly helpful it is to utilize the channels that will be put in place:
http://www.episcopalrelief.org/stories/lessons-from-katrina-and-how-to-help-after-a-disaster
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This from the NC Diocese Sep 11, 2017:
- Pray.
- Donate – as of today, financial donations are more helpful than donated goods. Relief agencies know exactly what’s needed and can do more per dollar than individuals, so please support a trusted relief agency. Episcopal Relief & Development has started a general hurricane relief fund where your donated dollars will be used for hurricane relief, but ERD will be free to use them where they’re most needed, regardless of storm name or location (those affected by Hurricane Harvey are still recovering, too).
- Organize and plan – if you know you will want to be on site at some point, start making plans and getting organized. Please do not go to affected areas now. Only trained relief workers and first responders should be there right now; untrained volunteers put undue strain on the situation and can actually use resources otherwise needed. Recovery will need you in the coming weeks and months, though, so please use ERD’s “Ready to Serve” link to offer your gifts when they’re needed.