On December 11, 2021, a line of storms passed through Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee. In all, over 50 tornados touched down, with western Kentucky being the hardest hit. Property damage is widespread, and early reports of a death toll between 70 and 100.
We are currently in dialog with the Presbyterian Church (USA), which has its headquarters in Louisville, KY. Initially, the Board of World Mission will be sending a gift to support their emergency response. Following initial rescue operations, we will be evaluating options to support more long-term relief efforts by encouraging willing volunteers to work through our partners. The BWM will supply that information when it is made available to us.
The Rev. Jim Kirk of the Presbyterian Disaster Response team says: “There are an incredible number of people who have been displaced because their home has either been heavily damaged or destroyed, so sheltering is going to be a significant need. This will be an event that will require a long-term response for the rebuilding — just an incredible amount of emotional, spiritual care needs, given the number of fatalities and injuries.”
If you are interested in volunteering to help with rebuilding work, please email Chris Giesler at [email protected].
We ask for your continued support of the Moravian Disaster Response fund, which allows the BWM to respond immediately to disasters such as this. US residents can send donations to The Board of World Mission, 1021 Center St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. Canadian residents can send gifts to The Moravian Church in Canada, 600 Acadia Drive SE, Calgary, AB T2J 0B8. To give online, please go to www.moravianmission.org/give. Please mark your donation “For MDR.”
