Hurricane Ike Recovery: World Vision Helping Churches Assist in Hard Hit Areas

by Staff
September 22, 2008

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SEATTLE, (christiansunite.com) -- As thousands of evacuees remain on the move and more families return to see the damage on their homes, World Vision, the Christian relief agency, is equipping and facilitating church response to assist victims of hurricane Ike. The aid organization has set up a call-in number 469- 362-2665 as a clearinghouse to connect churches in need with churches who want to help others.

This week, World Vision's assessment team delivered nine pallets of emergency supplies to churches in hard hit Port Arthur and Houston's 5th Ward, an economically stressed community. "We're seeing churches unite and rise up from their own struggles to help other churches in need," said Phyllis Freeman, World Vision's director of disaster field operation. "One pastor whose members suffered total loss, promised to share their provisions with another pastor whose church lost most of its roof in the storm."

John Pettit, World Vision's national director for disaster response, said, "For many people, the church represents an emotional and spiritual haven. By working through churches, World Vision has lasting power to reach people who might otherwise fall through the cracks."

Emergency supplies have been prepositioned in World Vision's Storehouses in Dallas and Picayune, Mississippi in support of relief and recovery efforts in Gulf Coast. Supplies are also being readied in Denver, Los Angeles, Chicago, Seattle and other locations where the organization has domestic operations.

World Vision is also partnering with corporations such as Cardinal Health for hygiene kits and Lagasse/Sweet, a household products company for cleaning supplies, which are critical in the initial clean up of homes. Corporations interested in donating quality, new products should call 206.355.3598.

Cash and product donations are needed. The public can help by visiting www.worldvision.org or calling 1.888.56 CHILD.

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. We serve all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. Visit www.worldvision.org/press.