Responding to emergencies

Church World Service helps the faith community play its special role in disaster mitigation, preparedness, and response in the U.S. and around the world -- which is to:

• Stand on the side of the oppressed through advocacy with and for those most in need.
• Seek out unmet needs of all survivors -- particularly people who were vulnerable and marginalized before the disaster.
• Provide a larger vision of life that includes emotional and spiritual care as well as physical rebuilding.
• Assist in long-term recovery of those in need.
• Restore and build community relationships.

Church World Service is a member of the ACT Alliance.  

 Trainings for disaster recovery
CWS is offering a series of free webinars for individuals or committees that are involved in long-term disaster recovery.  The 10 webinar trainings address various aspects of the long-term recovery process.  Please see http://www.cwserp.org/ for dates, topics and registration information.

CWS among key partners resettling first refugees out of Chad

Photo: Kendra Rinas

After several years of persistent efforts to overcome numerous delays due to fragile security and often-hostile weather, the first 75 refugees including 45 from Darfur, Sudan have been resettled to the United States out of Chad.

Church World Service is among key partners in this pilot resettlement effort. Under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. State Department, CWS prepares the case files for all refugees people fleeing persecution in sub-Saharan Africa who are being considered for U.S. resettlement. Then, following a meticulous screening process, CWS helps move those whom the U.S. government accepts toward departure. Read more »

CWS photos and videos

	Ensuring food security via a farming resource center On the frontlines of climate change, in Geo Rabari, Sindh province, Pakistan, water and food are scarce.  Church World Service and its local partner are helping farmers unite to get the water they need to grow food, as well as save seeds for the next season in a community seed bank. View photo gallery
	Video: CWS at work in Pakistan Interview with Marvin Parvez, Church World Service Interim Regional Coordinator, Asia & Pacific. View video
	Recovery in Myanmar (Burma) one year after Cyclone Nargis Through longstanding partnerships, Church World Service was able to respond quickly to the 2008 disaster, and today many farm families on the Irrawaddy Delta have been able to replant and bring in good rice harvests. View photo gallery
	Neighborhood: New Orleans rebuilding project A volunteer describes her experience with Neighborhood: New Orleans -- an ecumenical effort to return a dozen families back to their homes in an forgotten area destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. View photo gallery