Update – Oct 30
At the request of the New Jersey Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, known as NJ VOAD, CWS will be shipping the following items this week to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey for use in the emergency response in New Jersey.
The items are: 2,000 CWS Blankets; 3,000 School Kits; 3,000 CWS Hygiene Kits; 300 Clean-up Buckets; 100 CWS Baby (layette) Kits.
This shipment and other likely shipments due to Hurricane Sandy will require CWS to restock its supply of emergency relief items. Of particular concern right now is restocking our supply of CWS Blankets. Financial donations for CWS Blankets are particularly needed now.
Situation report:
For the latest updates, visit our Hurricane Sandy emergency information page.
While Hurricane Sandy is still in the early stages of its journey across the northeast United States, its winds and tidal surge are already being felt, and the Category-1 storm will continue to intensify as it crosses East Coast states. The combination of Hurricane Sandy, a large low-pressure system coming across the mid-Atlantic states and a cold front from the north are converging to produce a massive storm that will affect the northeast U.S. for the next several days.
Effects of the storm include: tidal storm surge from Virginia to Maine; tropical storm winds from the coast to as far west as Ohio; heavy rains from North Carolina to Maine; and heavy snow fall (as much as 24 inches) in the northern Appalachian Mountains. Early predicted damage estimates are in the tens of millions.
Hurricane Sandy is already a killer, having caused at least 69 deaths in the Bahamas, Cuba, Haiti, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.
Response:
CWS Disaster Response Specialists are working with state, regional and local Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and our member denominations and other agencies to determine where CWS denominations are helping or will be needed.
CWS will provide material resources, including blankets, Hygiene Kits and Clean-up Buckets, as requested. CWS also will assist communities in developing long-term recovery plans and provide technical and financial support, as possible.
The lead CWS Emergency Response Specialist for this storm is Joann Hale, jhale123@aol.com, (917) 705-3038.
The other CWS Emergency Response Specialists who can be contacted to provide information are:
The Rev Bryan Crousore: bryancrousore@gmail.com, (515) 867-0612
Sandra Kennedy-Owes: skowes@churchworldservice.org, (251) 725-4262
Kuulei Funn: kfunn@churchworldservice.org, (808) 226-6432
States expected to be impacted by this mega storm are: New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Delaware, Maine, District of Columbia, and others.
CWS communions and affiliated organizations are on alert and ready to help when and where needed. Shelters and feeding operations are up and operating and more will be set up as needed. Extensive power outages are expected and sheltering may be required for extended periods. Chain saw and other debris clean up teams are on standby and ready to respond as the storm passes by. CWS and its partner organizations have personnel on standby and ready to go to work.
How to help:
DONATE NOW: Contributions to support CWS emergency response efforts may be made online or to Church World Service, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN 46515 (REF: HURRICANE SANDY APPEAL, U.S., #627-W).
PLEASE NOTE: An amount for this domestic appeal will be determined shortly based on reports of needs.
CONCERNING CLEAN UP BUCKETS: CWS thanks its member communions for the efforts to help restock our warehouses with material goods, such as CWS Clean Up Buckets, Hygiene Kits, Baby Kits and School Kits.
During disaster such as this now is the time to remember that the most important humanitarian donation that an individual can make is cash. There are already reports of heaps of used clothing piling up: clothing and other materials that do little to restore the dignity of survivors. Remember, financial help is best. If you do have supplies that may be of help contact a CWS Emergency Response Specialist to see if the materials can be used and where.
Church World Service is a member of the ACT Alliance, a global coalition of churches and agencies engaged in development, humanitarian assistance and advocacy.