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Institute for Crisis, Disaster, and Risk Management Crisis and Emergency Management Newsletter Website |
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March
2007
Volume
12 - Number 3 |
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Report on the Efforts of the Church of the Brethren in Disasters By: Mike McManious The Church of the Brethren has a long history of providing
disaster services as part of its religious mission. They provide such services
in four categories: Disaster Response, Child Care, Refugee Resettlement and
Service Ministries. An Emergency Disaster Fund is used to support their efforts.
In Disaster Response, they furnish volunteers to clean up debris and rebuild or repair homes for survivors who lack the financial resources to hire someone to do the job. The Brethren eases the pain of the survivors. That is automatically felt by everyone. Their disaster response program “is based on the (biblical) Matthew 25 and the Annual Conference Priority for 1974-1975 which reads: Disaster, relief and rehabilitation response both at home and abroad, which can respond with a flexibility that utilizes both a Brethren and interdenominational approach depending upon situational needs” Specific guidelines have been developed for this program. Disaster Childcare Services trains, certifies and moves volunteers to disaster sites offering crisis intervention to children victimized by natural or man-made disasters. Professional counseling is provided. A safe and friendly environment is created and parents are relieved of their child care responsibilities so they can secure assistance for their family. The Brethren has been doing child care since 1980, and their high standards and other qualities of their program are recognized nationally. Refugee Resettlement is another category. A Refugee is defined as “any person fleeing their native country out of fear of persecution based on race, religion, creed, national origin, or political belief.” Anyone fleeing from brutal and oppressive conditions from war or civil strife may be included. Sponsorship by a local organization has the goal of assisting the refugee adjust to the new culture and become self-sufficient as soon as possible. The remaining area is Service Ministries. Services such as warehousing, inventory control, picking and packing, shipping, tracking, purchasing, clothing processing and long distance hauling are included. It is a large operation and the Brethren have much experience in these areas. References: Emergency Management, 2nd Edition, Haddow and Bullock www.brethren.org www.nvoad.org |