Initial assessments are ongoing throughout Mississippi and Louisiana to determine the damage caused by Hurricane Ida.
If you or someone you know needs assistance in the Diocese of Mississippi, please contact the Rev. Scott Lenoir, diocesan coordinator for the Disaster Preparedness and Response Team (DPRT) at slenoir1@gmail.com.
The DPRT is a part of the Mississippi Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) which partners with the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) to place volunteers in areas that need assistance. Data gathering is ongoing and specific information will be forwarded as soon as assessments and plans for response are made. The DPRT may be onsite in SW Mississippi next week.
If you or your congregation works in an area, please check in with the VOAD center if one is there. This registration will help secure money for Mississippi. The more volunteers registered at a site, the more funds are made available. Also, please notify the DPRT at slenoir1@gmail.com if you plan to make a visit. We’ll publish your efforts and perhaps secure more volunteers to work.
At this moment, we’re waiting for assessments to be completed. The MS VOAD is meeting again on Thursday by Zoom to coordinate response.
We are also in contact with our friends in The Diocese of Louisiana and will post details of response plans as soon as we get them. The U.S. Disaster Program with Episcopal Relief and Development is meeting every day by Zoom to get details on future plans.
“The road to recovery will be long, but I am certain of our strength and resiliency,” wrote Bishop Morris Thompson, Diocese of Louisiana, in a letter posted on the diocesan website this morning.
If you wish to make a donation to Episcopal Relief and Development for Hurricane Ida, the donation page may be found HERE.
The Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana is also asking for your support to help meet the needs of the churches and communities affected by the storm through their Bishop's Fund. A secure donation can be made HERE.
Please keep all those who were affected by Ida in your prayers and the first responders who are helping every day.
