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International Partnerships
Who are our partners in International
Disaster Response?
ELCA International Disaster Response is a member of Action by
Churches Together (ACT), a network of relief agencies and churches
that deal with disasters. Funds are usually channeled through the ACT
network, though other partners are sometimes directly assisted by the
ELCA in disaster relief. Check our Partners page for more details.
How do Lutherans help in time of disaster?
When a disaster or emergency situation hits somewhere in the world,
contacts are made to assess the situation and determine the needs.
Local church contacts, international relief agencies and other sources
of information all are used to evaluate the disaster. Through this, in
the early and critical stages following a disaster, ELCA International
Disaster Response frequently provides funds for desperately needed
materials and supplies, such as food, medicine, drinking water, and
emergency shelter.
Following the relief phase immediately
following a disaster, ELCA International Disaster Response is often on
the disaster scene for the long-term, offering assistance in the
rebuilding stages.
How is International Disaster Response
funded?
All International Disaster Response funds are received as
designated gifts from members and friends of the ELCA. No funds from
ELCA general benevolence are utilized for the emergency relief,
rehabilitation, or coordination of the relief efforts. Contributions
are raised through the ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Appeal office.
All funds are administered through the ELCA Division for Global
Mission.
How are designated funds used?
Funds that are designated for a specific disaster or emergency
situation, such as the Asian tsunami, are spent 100 percent on relief
efforts for that particular disaster. Undesignated funds, such as
gifts marked solely "International Disaster Response," provide needed
flexibility in responding quickly to disasters under way at the moment
or to other catastrophes that develop without warning.
Funds are used to to support on-the-ground partners, which
implement the relief and rebuilding work after a disaster on behalf of
the ELCA. Local relief agencies and churches have the expertise or
resources to deal first-hand with disasters and have the ability to be
and remain on-scene when a disaster occurs. The ELCA has long-standing
relationships with many partners in its ongoing relief and development
work. These relationships enable ELCA International Disaster Response
to offer relief to disaster survivors quickly through these partners.
ELCA International Disaster Response is intended to be a way in
which the ELCA and its members accompany the partners who are
providing help in times of disaster.
How can I help?
When a disaster strikes, we need your help. But the needs are not
the same in every disaster, and they frequently change within the same
disaster as time goes on. For updated information about disasters and
what kind of funding is needed, check Current Disasters, or contact us
directly.
The people of God continue to reach out with generosity to assist
who suffer overwhelming loss in disaster. It is this generosity that
makes disaster response ministry possible.
Your contributions to the ELCA International Disaster Response
enable the ELCA and the Division for Global Mission to help
individuals, communities and churches who need it the most.
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