On the heels of their relief efforts in Myanmar, China and the tornado-ravaged mid and southern United States, Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD) is now providing emergency assistance to communities devastated by ongoing flooding across the Midwest.

"The organization has made an urgent appeal for prayer and financial support for those impacted by the flooding" said Judy Quick, Alabama's ERD Diocesan Coordinator.   "The people of the Diocese of Alabama responded to the earlier disasters, for which we are very grateful, and I am confident Alabamians will respond generously to this need as well," said Quick.

So far, the flood waters are responsible for killing 24 people, injuring 148 and displacing tens of thousands of others.  The damage to infrastructure and the agricultural sector is severe.  In some areas, entire towns are completely inundated, their past existence confirmed only by a lone church steeple poking above the water line. Hundreds of thousands of acres of crops have been destroyed. The floods have inflicted up to $1.5 billion in damage to Iowa's agricultural sector alone. This number will increase dramatically as loss is assessed in other states.

The crisis is far from over. Rising waters have breached 20 levees across the region and officials fear that more flooding will occur as river levels climb in Missouri and Illinois.

ERD is responding to the needs of flood victims in the Dioceses of Iowa, Milwaukee, Fond du Lac and Indianapolis. The organization is standing by to provide assistance in Quincy, Missouri and other dioceses as the need arises.

In Iowa, ERD is working with its partner the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa to provide support to people who have been displaced from their homes. Mental health services will also be offered as the need arises.

In Milwaukee, ERD will partner with the Diocese of Milwaukee to assist people in rural counties. In northeastern Wisconsin, the agency is working in Fond du Lac to restock the food pantry at the Cathedral and provide temporary rental assistance to families as they clean up their flooded homes.

In Indianapolis, ERD will work with the Diocese of Indianapolis to provide rental assistance, food and water aid to families in communities that have no potable water.

"We hold in prayer all who are impacted by the flooding, all who are working tirelessly to prevent further flooding, and all who stand together to care for these people and communities as the waters recede," says Abagail Nelson, Senior Vice President for Programs at ERD.

 

We offer this adapted prayer by the Bishop of Dorchester, the Right Reverend Colin Fletcher:

Almighty God we pray for all those who are suffering as a result of the current flooding.
For those who are shocked.
For those who are frightened
For those who are feeling bereft
And for those who are now trying to get down to the long-term business of sorting everything out.
We thank you that the loss of life is not overwhelming, and for the ways in which so many were able to help each other, but we pray for all those who have seen their homes, and businesses and farms so badly damaged.
Bless them, we pray, as they seek to rebuild what has been shattered and give them that sense that you are there in the midst of all their pain
For we ask it for the sake of the one who bears all our sorrows, Jesus Christ, Our Lord
Amen

Because of the urgency of this appeal, a church bulletin <http://www.er-d.org/BulletinInsertsCT/>  has been prepared and parishes are encouraged to publicize the opportunities to make contributions in their bulletins, newsletters and during announcements at worship services, according to Quick.

"Please include the victims of this disaster in your intercessory prayers, and prayerfully consider making a contribution to relieve the suffering of families impacted by flooding in the Midwest," said Quick.  Donations can be made to Episcopal Relief & Development's "Midwest Flood Fund" online at http://www.er-d.org/ , or by calling 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129. Gifts can also be mailed to: Episcopal Relief & Development "Midwest Flood Fund" P.O. Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058. "It is a good idea to noted your parish and/or the Diocese of Alabama on your donation," said Quick.

"It is good to remember that an exceptionally high 92% of each dollar given goes to help people in need," Quick explained.  "The work of Episcopal Relief and Development depends on the generosity of all Episcopalians.   Thank you for your consideration."

 

Questions can be directed to Judy Quick, Diocesan Coordinator for Episcopal Relief and Development (jgquick@bellsouth.net , 205-669-6862.

 

 

Episcopal Relief & Development is the international relief and development agency of the Episcopal Church of the United States. As an independent 501(c) (3) organization, Episcopal Relief & Development takes its mandate from Jesus' words found in Matthew 25. Its programs work towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Together with the worldwide Church and ecumenical partners, Episcopal Relief & Development strengthens communities today to meet tomorrow's challenges. We rebuild after disasters and empower people by offering lasting solutions that fight poverty, hunger and disease, including HIV/AIDS and malaria.