Disaster Response

When disaster strikes in the community, local Lutherans seek to serve their neighbors in need, demonstrating Christ’s compassion for people by promoting hope, healing and wholeness for disaster survivors.

Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) is a collaborative ministry of the ELCA and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Locally, Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSS/NCA) is the Lutheran Disaster Response affiliate for the Metro D.C. area.

Contact: Deacon Kati Miller-Holland, 202-723-3000 ext. 200

Volunteers assembled One+Plus Disaster Response Kits at the 2009 Martin Luther King Day Service Breakfast, cosponsored by LSS/NCA and Lutheran Volunteer Corps, ready to help neighbors in need.

Have you prepared yourself and your family for a natural disaster? For National Preparedness Month in September 2008, the Rev. Kevin Massey, director, Lutheran Disaster Response, narrated this brief video to help you formulate a preparedness plan.

Watch Video

RESOURCES

Family Go-Kit VIPs (Very Important Papers) - Suggested items to set aside should you have to quickly evacuate your home
Guidelines for Volunteer Teams - Considerations for volunteers offering disaster relief assistance
Faith-Based & Community Organizations Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Checklist - distributed by the Department of Health and Human Services after collaboration of public health agencies and Faith-Based and Community Organizations
- Lista de prepaciÓn para una pandemia de gripe tanto para organizaciones comunitarias como religiosas
Preparing for Disaster: A Guide for Lutheran Congregations - Manual from LDR to help congregations be effective participants in their communities' recovery from disaster
A Ready Hope: Effective Disaster Ministry for Congregations - A new release from the Alban Institute co-authored by an ELCA pastor from Herndon
One+Plus Kit Contents - A list of items vitally useful when responding to disaster; completed kits collected by LSS/NCA
- Labels for completed One+Plus Kits
Family Resettlement Checklist - Checklist of items needed to furnish a household, provided by LSS/NCA
Preparing for Disaster - A guide for Lutheran congregations from LDR
Planning Guide and Supply Kit Recommendations - Suggestions for disaster preparedness prepared by Lutheran Family Services of Virginia, Inc. (LFSVA), a designated Lutheran Disaster Response agency
Family Emergency Info Card - Fill out this quick reference communications plan from LFSVA