Emergency Katrina Relief

Church World Service doesn't get the national press of the American Red Cross, but is an effective agency and an important part of the coalition of relief agencies that traditionally respond to domestic and international disasters. CWS is the relief arm of the National Council Churches, the ecumenical organization of the mainstream protestant churches.

Contributions may be made by credit card by calling: (800) 297-1516, ext. 222, or online at Church World Service.

Church World Service
Hurricane Katrina Response -- #6280
P.O. Box 968
Elkhart, IN 46515

Here are excerpts from the CWS emergency appeal:

"As Hurricane Katrina moves through coastal Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama and northward, humanitarian agency Church World Service (CWS) says it is prepared to respond with material resources and support for community-based, long-range recovery groups...."

"Of particular concern are those who lacked the resources to leave New Orleans, as was urged by the city’s mayor as well as President Bush. "With 28 percent of New Orleans' residents living below poverty level," says CWS Associate Director for Domestic Emergency Response Linda Reed Brown, "CWS is mobilizing to help the most vulnerable with long-term recovery."

CWS's Domestic Response and Recovery Liaison (DRRL) network is at the ready to assist vulnerable communities in assessing immediate and long-term needs once the storm has passed. "Our assigned disaster response liaisons will work with the faith community, support forming recovery groups, and request material resources," reports Brown. CWS Gift of the Heart Health Kits are positioned for shipment, as are blankets.... "

"Church World Service was instrumental in building recovery capacity among vulnerable and under-served populations in Florida last year after the busy 2004 hurricane season. FIND, or Florida Interfaith Networking in Disasters, is continuing to respond to emergencies and sustaining recovery efforts, based on skills and procedures presented in CWS Interfaith Trauma and Response Trainings."

"One of the first agencies called by FEMA along with the Red Cross in times of national disaster, New York-headquartered CWS responds to natural and human-caused disasters internationally and domestically. In the U.S., CWS provides emergency aid domestically but also specializes in long-term recovery, working with local faith communities, social service agencies and emergency management partners to assist vulnerable populations."