A message from Zach Wolgemuth, Executive, UCC Disaster Ministries:
I can’t stress enough the importance of monetary donations. I continue to receive phone calls and e-mails from our churches, with good intentions, wanting to send things to disaster locations. There are several major issues with this type of giving. This video does an excellent job highlighting why in-kind gifts often hinder or harm recovery. Please share as far and wide as possible.
I am also sharing a note below, related to this topic, from a friend and colleague Peter Gudiatis who is the president and CEO of National Disaster Interfaiths Network.
After today's meetings with the PR governor's office. Puerto Rico is already so overwhelmed with shipping containers (150) and plane loads of donated goods that they have no place to safely store or sort it - and, limited means to move it The word is that Puerto Rico will ban the importing of non-pre-requested and approved donated goods tomorrow - cash only from now on.
Zach Wolgemuth
Executive, UCC Disaster Ministries
+1 410-259-6194 (m) www.ucc.org/disaster/
700 Prospect Ave. E., Cleveland, OH 44115
UPDATE: 9/26/17
A message from Zach Wolgemuth, Executive, UCC Disaster Ministries:
I hope that you continue to check the website and drive people to www.ucc.org/disaster as the team in Cleveland has been working hard to keep things fresh. We continue to do our best to field calls and emails as well as maintain as much situational awareness on the various disasters our country and world are facing so that we can respond in appropriate impactful ways.
Please continue to keep everyone in prayer and share our deepest appreciation and sincere gratitude with those that you know are donating, praying and serving. Your support and their support IS making a difference in the lives of families. Thank You!
- We are ready for volunteers to support Irma (and Matthew) recovery work in Volusia county, FL.
- We have partnered with the Fuller Center Disaster Rebuilders in TX to support muck and gut work. This information will soon be posted on the volunteer opportunities page.
- One of our Disaster Recovery Support Team members is in TX working with FEMA VALs to provide additional support for LTRG development.
- We have provided a solidarity grant to a Global Ministries partner in working in Mexico since the earthquake
- We are staying in close contact with our network connections to Puerto Rico but have received very little information directly from the island due to lack of power and compromised communications infrastructure.
Zach Wolgemuth
Executive, UCC Disaster Ministries
+1 410-259-6194 (m) www.ucc.org/disaster/
700 Prospect Ave. E., Cleveland, OH 44115
From the ucc.org - Sept. 14, 2017
Hurricane Irma made landfall in Florida on Sunday, Sept. 10 with record-force winds and storm surges on the coasts. The storm continues to travel north. Millions of people in Florida evacuated or moved to approved shelters before the storm hit.
Hurricane Irma hit the islands in the Caribbean early on Sept. 6 and has caused widespread destruction and loss throughout the region. As Global Ministries partner churches or on-going partners through Church World Service are affected or responding, UCC Disaster Ministries is there – now and for the long term.
In the United States, the ongoing team of UCC Disaster Coordinators is active with local, statewide, and national disaster networks and communication with their local UCC churches. UCC Disaster Ministries is there – now and for the long term.