News & Updates | Posted Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Mud is surprisingly heavy. That’s the very first thing I learned about disaster response. It was 1972 and I was in my twenties, helping a family friend clean up after Hurricane Agnes caused the nearby Juniata River to rise to 30 feet above the flood stage. The basement and main level of our friend’s house were a mess. There was …
News & Updates | Posted Friday, May 1, 2015
Appeal #700-U ACT Alliance appeal amount: $12,817,453 CWS appeal amount: $1,000,000 Nepal continues to struggle following the massive 7.8-magnitude earthquake that shattered homes and businesses April 25. With an epicenter around 50 miles northwest of Kathmandu, this was the most powerful earthquake to hit the region since the Bihar earthquake of 1934, and its impact has been devastating in terms …
News & Updates | Posted Friday, March 27, 2015
SITUATION: On March 25, a large storm system and resulting tornadoes, high winds and hail impacted several mid-western states. The storm system stretched from northwest Texas, through Oklahoma and as far east as western Tennessee. Wind and hail damage was reported in Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Illinois and Tennessee. Tornadoes were reported in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri. A …
News & Updates | Posted Monday, February 9, 2015
In 2014, Church World Service actively supported disaster response work in response to storms, floods, tornadoes wildfires and mudslides along with ongoing Superstorm Sandy recovery. In all, CWS worked in a total of 25 states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, …
News & Updates | Posted Monday, January 26, 2015
The roads have been salted. My driveway has been, too. The i-things have all been charged. We have plenty of food. Toilet paper. Oreos and popcorn. The fireplace is even operational, with plenty of blankets to go ‘round. All life’s essentials, right? Essentials. It’s funny how that definition is so fluid when someone like me, who lives in the wealthiest …
News & Updates | Posted Monday, November 17, 2014
In this journey of life, it’s great when a wide, well-marked road stretches as far as we can see in front of us. It’s another matter when that road abruptly ends and there are no clear signposts toward the future. Almost six years ago, my wide, clearly marked road ran out. After a 38-year professional career in the technology sector, …
News & Updates | Posted Friday, November 14, 2014
I’m going to be honest, before a few months ago I had never actually walked in a CROP Hunger Walk before in my life. My involvement with CWS was through theCWS Blanket Sunday my church did every Mothers’ Day. But what an experience it has been to see communities come together to raise funds and build awareness towards hunger needs …
News & Updates | Posted Wednesday, October 29, 2014
As communities along the U.S. East Coast mark the second anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, Church World Service continues to support the long-term recovery. Currently CWS is preparing a major presentation to a Nov. 13 forum for an expected 50 to 60 leaders from 14 long-term recovery groups for counties and cities across New Jersey. The event will be held in …
News & Updates | Posted Monday, October 20, 2014
Can a CWS Kit really make a difference in the wake of an overwhelming loss? Washitha Hunter, survivor of a recent catastrophic fire in her Chicago apartment complex, answered that question with a resounding “Yes!” Hunter, her husband, Anthony Barr, their two teen-aged children and 10-month-old grandson made it out of their apartment unharmed, but four neighbor children perished in …
News & Updates | Posted Thursday, September 4, 2014
“I couldn’t believe how fast the water rose. The damage it left was unbelievable; I really didn’t know what to do.” This comment from a homeowner in greater Detroit was echoed by tens of thousands across eastern Michigan who suffered damage from flash floods on August 11. At 8 a.m., it started raining hard across most of the region. All …