Week of Compassion is responding to yesterdays deadly tornadoes. For those who are thinking about going to one of these communities to help, there are a few things you need to know. This soon after a disaster, access to many communities will be tightly controlled. Washington, IL, for example, is only letting in residents with proof of residency. Where damage was widespread, electricity will be spotty. Sunset curfews are likely to be in effect. Access to food, drinking water, and gasoline may be limited. Local infrastructure will be strained and local support will be rightly focusing on those who were affected by the storms. When lots of unexpected people spontaneously show up looking for something to do, they become a distraction and an added burden on those who are best situated to respond. In short, people who wish to lend a hand in these early days must: 1) be completely self-contained (tools, safety gear, food & water, gas); 2) know what they are doing (this is not the time to learn how to use a chain saw); 3) be able to drive in, work, and drive home the same day; and 4) have already made contact with someone on the ground who has given them a specific task or place to go. And please dont call the local pastor offering to show up; assuming you can even reach them, 9 times out of 10 theyre going to say Yes, and then theyll have to figure out what to do with you. If you dont meet all of these conditions, please wait until help is requested. In the meantime, there is plenty that you can do: be in prayer for survivors and responders; share financial gifts through Week of Compassion or clean-up kits through Church World Service; prepare to offer assistance when it is needed - and start preparing your family / congregation / community for a possible disaster; and care enough to follow the recovery long after it fades from the headlines.
Posted on: Mon, 18 Nov 2013 17:08:50 +0000
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