Emergency and Disaster Response
World Vision responds to severe weather in Alabama, southern states
Text 'Tornado' to '20222' to donate $10 to World Vision's Disaster Relief Fund
Photos by Laura Reinhardt & Keith Glines / © World Vision.
As communities across the South reel from the deadliest natural disaster in the United States since Hurricane Katrina, World Vision is appealing for $5 million to assist tornado survivors in an extensive, multi-state response effort.
- Recovery teams focusing on most vulnerable tornado survivors, especially children
- Fundraising needs still falling short, many relief groups report
- World Vision's tornado fundraising appeal increased from $3 million to $5 million for extended tornado response
- WV recovery teams providing ongoing recovery to tornado survivors throughout U.S. (Minnesota, Missouri, Alabama, Virginia, North Carolina, etc)
- The public can help by making a one-time donation to our U.S. Disaster Response Fund, calling (888) 56-CHILD, or by texting 'TORNADO' to '20222' to give a $10 donation. Your gift will help us respond quickly and effectively to life-threatening emergencies right here in the United States, like the recent storms and tornadoes in the South.
WVUS is focusing our long-term recovery and rebuilding response in the communities of Holt and Alberta City, both of which struggled even before the disaster that wiped out whole neighborhoods. To date we have provided essentials to 6,700 individuals.
In the weeks and months ahead, we plan to continue to work with local organizations to provide assistance to those left most vulnerable - particularly neighborhoods and communities affected by poverty.
Immediately following the disaster World Vision dispatched a mobile distribution unit from its facility in North Texas, which provided emergency relief supplies for families devastated by the tornadoes in Alabama.
As part of our large-scale response to the worst natural disaster in the United States since Hurricane Katrina, we sent two semi trucks to Alabama with pallets of relief supplies, including shoes, clothing, and cleaning materials.
Our team has completed assessments of needs and distributed initial supplies of personal hygiene products to families in Tuscaloosa and Birmingham, Alabama.
How World Vision Responded rapidly
"We're most concerned about low-income families who don't have many resources to recover from these disasters," said Phyllis Freeman, World Vision's domestic disaster response director.
The mobile distribution unit was able to drive directly into affected communities and provide urgently needed items like hygiene kits, shoes for kids, batteries, and flashlights, since many areas are still without power.
"This part of the country is not a part of tornado alley. That's what is making this so horrific," Freeman said. "This is hurricane country. That's why we want to do our work as fast as possible. There's no way of knowing what hurricanes may be coming in the future."
'We don't know what to do'
World Vision partnered with local churches and organizations to set up points of distribution for relief supplies. We have provided $10,000 worth of cash grants to be given to the most vulnerable families who have been impacted, and we hope to disburse more grants as fundraising increases.
"We don't know what to do," said Connie McDonald, whose home fell off its foundation and was further damaged by a falling tree. She and her husband recently refinanced their home to pay for their daughter's cancer treatment.
"That's why I've cried all day. I've been real brave up until today...what will we do financially?"
A coordinated effort
World Vision's facilities in North Texas are serving as its domestic disaster headquarters, with 56,000 square feet of space and 1,000 pallet spaces of relief, recovery, and building materials ready to ship.
Dallas volunteers are assembled hygiene kits for distribution and prepared medical supplies to be shipped quickly to the disaster site. In addition to responding to vulnerable communities in Alabama, World Vision is working with local partners to provide recovery efforts to children and families affected by weather-related disasters in Oklahoma, North Carolina, Mississippi, Missouri, and Virginia.
The greatest immediate needs were basic hygiene items, blankets, bedding, water, first-aid kits, and flashlights. We are also addressing the long-term recovery needs of affected families, with a specific focus on the needs of children.
"We've been working around the clock in Tuscaloosa and the common request we get from survivors is to remind people not to forget what's happened to them," said Phyllis Freeman, World Vision's domestic emergency response director and a veteran of the agency's Hurricane Katrina response. "We've had back-to-back tornadoes devastate families and children all across this country but we refuse to let any survivor fall through the cracks."
Partnering locally
World Vision has partnered with local churches and organizations to identify families and communities who are particularly vulnerable. Prepositioned supplies were rushed from Dallas, including clothes, shoes, cleaning supplies, and personal hygiene kits.
"It's mind-boggling to think of how many families and children now have no place to call home," said Freeman. "In shelters, something as simple as a dry, clean mattress can provide at least a little bit of comfort during this incredibly stressful time."
Assessments and initial distributions
Freeman and her relief team colleagues began in Birmingham and Tuscaloosa, Alabama, assessing the greatest needs and delivering supplies of personal hygiene items for survivors, many of whom had lost their homes and possessions.
Individual donations, corporate partnerships
World Vision's North Texas facility in Dallas will serve as a central hub for sending emergency supplies to children and families most in need.
We're currently recruiting corporate partners to donate quality new products specifically needed in disaster areas -- including rakes, generators, mops, brooms, and shovels.
In addition to prayer, "The best way Americans can help right now is through cash donations of any amount," added Freeman. "This allows World Vision and other responding groups to purchase supplies locally and respond quickly."
Forming local partnerships
World Vision works with local churches and other organizations in domestic disaster areas to identify families with limited means, families left destitute, or people who may have difficulty accessing other assistance.
"Churches are on the frontlines when disasters strike our country," said Freeman. "They know their communities and the needs that exist there."
World Vision's 56,000-square-foot North Texas facility includes the domestic disaster response hub of prepositioned response products, such as personal hygiene and cleaning supplies, clothing, shoes, and other relief, recovery, and building materials.
Help now
Make a one-time donation to our U.S. Disaster Response Fund. Your gift will help us respond quickly and effectively to life-threatening emergencies right here in the United States, like the recent tornadoes in Missouri, Minnesota and Alabama.
Find out how your church can help provide vital supplies to tornado survivors.
Please pray for survivors of these deadly storms, especially those who have been left homeless or otherwise vulnerable.
Text 'Tornado' to '20222' to donate $10 to World Vision's Disaster Relief Fund
