The ELCA generally responds to disasters in the United States and Caribbean in partnership with The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod through Lutheran Disaster Response.  This collaborative ministry provides greater stewardship of resources when responding to federally declared disasters.

Lutheran | Ecumenical and Secular

A Glossary of Lutheran Partners

Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) is a collaborative ministry of the ELCA and The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod.  The LDR mission is to demonstrate Christ's compassion for people by promoting health, healing and wholeness for disaster survivors.  LDR strives to serve survivors of disasters in a timely, compassionate and competent manner through a coordinated, community-based system involving all Lutheran entities.  Formal agreements and memberships are maintained with the American Red Cross, Church World Service, and National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.

Find your local LDR-affiliated agency
LDR works in partnership with local social ministry organizations to implement services. To find the one in your area, state or region, click here to view a list of Lutheran Services in America social ministries affiliated with ELCA.

A Glossary of Ecumenical and Secular Partners

American Red Cross (ARC) provides a variety of services: shelter and mass feeding; individual and family assistance; and health and mental health services to those affected by a disaster. Member of National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster and shares a statement of understanding with Lutheran Disaster Response.

Church World Service (CWS) is part of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. and an ecumenical relief and development agency for 36 national denominations that domestically facilitates a cooperative faith-based community response to disaster. CWS consultants will sometimes help organize an interfaith coalition in an area following a disaster. Lutheran Disaster Response is a member of CWS.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) establishes operations in an impacted area, if a disaster is federally declared, to coordinate the response and recovery. FEMA will publish an 800 telephone number (with deadline) for survivors to apply for assistance.

National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) is a national coalition of members (like LDR) that meets to discuss working together and to assess how work has gone in disaster settings.

The Salvation Army provides mass and mobile feeding; collects, organizes and distributes donated goods (in response to need); and provides temporary shelter and medical assistance.  Member of National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.

Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) is a local committee (sometimes regional or statewide) of disaster-response agencies that meet regularly to discuss how they will work together to implement a coordinated response.