About Distaster Response
Disaster response consists of three very important phases of recovery. The first phase occurs immediately after a disaster and includes meeting the emergency needs of persons impacted. After the emergency stage has passed, disaster response enters the relief phase. This phase begins the long, hard process of clean up and debris removal as well as families moving back into their homes or temporary locations. The third phase of disaster response is the long-term recovery of communities as well as the families that have been affected. This phase may include the rebuilding of homes, receiving emotional and spiritual care, and the development of long-term recovery plans to address unmet needs.
Katrina Recovery
Mississippi United Methodist Katrina Recovery is in the long-term recovery phase of disaster response. We are part of the Mississippi Conference of The United Methodist Church, as well as a partner with United Methodist Committee on Relief, UMCOR.
Goals of Katrina Recovery:
- Restore persons to safe, permanent homes as soon as possible
- Be attentive to and, where possible, address spiritual, emotional, and other needs of these persons.
- Affirm, encourage, and offer support to local churches in the recovery effort.
- Organize and deploy volunteers to maximize recovery to extend beyond what congregations can accomplish on their own.
- Partner with other organizations where possible to enhance efforts
- Tell the story – keep people abreast of the amazing work being done by local churches and United Methodist volunteers.
