IRUSA’s Disaster Response Team (DRT) is dedicated to helping communities that have been adversely affected by disaster not only around the world, but here at home. When disaster strikes, DRT responds quickly to get vital resources to survivors as effectively and efficiently as possible. A few major responses include the California Carr fires, one of the worst in the state’s history, the tragic school shooting in Parkland, FL, and the devastating Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma.
Beyond immediate emergency work, DRT administers long-term recovery aid in places like North Carolina, where teams are helping rebuild homes damaged by Hurricane Matthew in 2016.
IRUSA is a member of the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), an association that promotes communication and collaboration between organizations active in disaster relief as well as government organizations. IRUSA’s DRT is also the first Muslim organization to partner with the American Red Cross.
Here is a snippet of a prayer from Bishop Hope Morgan Ward during a collaborative, rolling program to help survivors of Hurricane Matthew muck-out their still-damaged homes. When insurance or other government agencies are not there, groups like IRUSA and the United Methodist Church are.
As much as we’ve been able to accomplish, there is still so much more to do. In working together, we can make the vision of a better world a reality for so many of our sisters and brothers who have been affected by disasters across the country.
There are two ways to help:
1. VOLUNTEER
2. DONATE:
$500 can support on-going reconstruction projects for people who have lost their homes to disaster
$100 can supply resources for temporary shelter work during evacuations
$25 can bulk up capacity to do damage assessments for the homes of emergency survivors
Connect with our Disaster Response Team staff via disaster@irusa.org or by calling 1-855-447-1001 to learn more. And make sure to friend and/or follow us on your favorite social network. Use #IRDRT!
“My team, along with members from the American Red Cross, covered more than 300 miles assessing homes, assessing damage and providing that information to the Federal Emergency Management Agency so that they can provide for the people here.”