RESPONDING TO COVID-19
Communities around the world are practicing social distancing in response to the coronavirus. So, how does that impact our normal way of doing disaster response? Adaptation, of course–and finding new ways to form and maintain relationships.
We are thrilled to see many of our former and current partners do that so well. These past few weeks, Marisol Salgado, the licensed counselor from the Hurricane Harvey Recovery program in the Episcopal Diocese of Texas has been offering Spanish-language webinars addressing the impacts of isolation. Likewise, Molly Carr from St. Isadore's Abundant Harvest Foodtruck Ministry in Texas has been able to continue providing meals to immigrant families in remote areas. Instead of hosting a community gathering with buffet meals, she has been delivering food door to door. Internationally, our partners in West Africa have been delivering sanitation and hygiene kits to targeted vulnerable households.
We continue to offer support to church leadership throughout this developing situation. Please visit our Faith-based Response to Epidemics page for helpful resources related to ministry and response. Let us continue to pray for one another and lift each other up.
Grace and peace,
Katie, Lura, Tamara, Courtney and Angel
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WEBINAR ON FRIDAY!
On Friday, Episcopal Relief & Development joins disaster experts to address the ways our individual and collective gifts can meet the needs created by COVID-19. Join us and discover how Christ is calling each of us to address human needs. Register: Asset-Based Ministry Response to COVID-19
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MEETING COMMUNITY NEEDS IN TENESSEE DURING A PANDEMIC
Prior to the outbreak of tornadoes earlier this month, the Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee was well-known in many of the impacted vulnerable communities through their outreach ministries. Because of the trust that was built, community members began seeking out assistance with rentals, rental deposits, repairs, food and utilities. With support from Episcopal Relief & Development through the Diocese of Tennessee, priests were able to deliver promptly. Having established relationships worked in their favor during this season of social distancing!
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LOVING AND PROUD IN SOUTH DAKOTA
Parishioners in the Episcopal Diocese of South Dakota don’t necessarily like asking for help, especially after a disaster. “We’re a proud people,” says Marlys Fratzke, Diocesan Administrative Assistant. However, when melting snow from a cyclone caused major flooding in the southwest part of the state in February 2019, they were overwhelmed and partnered with Episcopal Relief & Development in their response.
Gift and gas cards were the most helpful tools for getting people back on their feet. However, the diocese ran up against some unexpected challenges. Due to fraud concerns, most retailers would only sell a limited number of cards, and only in relatively small dollar amounts. In order to procure a helpful number of cards, volunteers had to drive to multiple retailers. And distributing the cards to isolated members of the indigenous community meant extensive, carefully coordinated travel. In the end, the diocese ended up distributing cards to supply enough propane, diapers and groceries to see vulnerable groups through the worst parts of the post-disaster efforts.
“It was still a community effort,” Marlys says. “We relied heavily on Episcopal Relief & Development for their experience, but our neighbors and local clergy really pulled together. When something like this happens, you need the right people with the right love in their hearts. And that’s what we had here.”
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LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR WORK
The US Disaster Program is supporting various emergency and long-term recovery programs in dioceses across The Episcopal Church. Learn more today!
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