Emergency Response News Briefs
April 6, 2006 • Archive
DRRL Conducts Long-term Recovery Workshop
Domestic Disaster Response and Recovery Liaison (DRRL) Lesli Remaly conducted a long-term recovery workshop this week in Picayune, MS, as part of a series of specialized training events for community and social service organizations; church and recovery group caseworkers; and long-term recovery coordinators. Representatives from FEMA, Katrina Aid Today, Coordinated Assistance Network (Can), and Lutheran Disaster Response also led workshops. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) co-sponsored the event. More events are planned for Mississippi later this month.
CWS Indonesia Staff and Tsunami Survivors Visit U.S. Gulf Coast
CWS Indonesia and partner organizations' staff, participated in an exchange initiative supported by the Presbyterian Church (USA) that brought Indonesia tsunami/Nias Earthquake disaster responders and survivors together with U.S. Gulf Coast Katrina/Rita responders and survivors. This past weekend, the visitors went to different areas of the U.S. to speak to churches about the tsunami response one year later. CWS staffers Novin Patanduk, Ayu Kodrat, and partner staff Insafi Gulo visited the CWS Mid-South Regional Resource Development office in Nashville. While in Nashville, the group also visited the Vine Street Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Greater Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) church to share stories and thank U.S. churches for their support following the tsunami and earthquake. Afterward, the group attended a Presbyterian Disaster Assistance work camp in Pearlington, MS, where they met volunteers and reflected on their exchange visit. They will return to Indonesia early next week.
ERP Associate Director Speaks on Darfur in New York City
Fidele Lumeya, CWS-ERP associate director for international response, at the invitation of the CWS Mission Relation and Witness program office, spoke on Sudan and the Darfur crisis to a United Church of Christ youth group and their leaders at the Interchurch Center in New York City on Tuesday. Lumeya talked about his own experiences working in Darfur, and shared views of members of the Darfur rebel movement who feel the root causes of the crisis to be years of governmental neglect and economic deprivation. Lumeya referred to CWS response to the crisis as "a bird that uses one wing to fight anger while the other reaches for long term solutions through advocacy and other peace-building initiatives."
CWS Tackles Environmental Issues in the Gulf Coast
On March 18, CWS-ERP Associate Director Linda Reed Brown, and Disaster Response and Recovery Liaisons Joann Hale and Lura Cayton, along with Louisiana environmental activists, including members of Louisiana Environmental Action Network (LEAN), and Wilma Subra, president of the Subra Company, which conducted environmental testing around devastated by Hurricane Katrina, discussed solutions to some of the environmental, and health and safety issues facing residents, volunteers, and day laborers.
Educational materials will be available and distributed to the local long-term recovery organizations, volunteer coordinators, work teams and returning residents later this month. An environmental summit meeting expanded to include local leadership and others will be held May 2. Details TBA.
CWS Donates "Gift of the Heart" Kits for use in Serbia-Montenegro
CWS has donated 4,000 "Gift of the Heart" Baby Kits and 11,250 Health kits to long-time partner International Orthodox Christian Charities for use in on-going programs serving rural and war-affected families.
CWS Sends Blankets to assist Tornado Survivors in Missouri and Tennessee
CWS shipped 2,000 blankets to a staging area in Caruthersville, MO, to assist families affected by Sunday night's tornados. The blankets will also be distributed in nearby Dyersburg, TN, where many of the 27 casualties occurred.