Hurricane Ian first made landfall in western Cuba on September 27, 2022, as a category 3 hurricane with winds of 125 miles per hour. We are getting reports from our Moravian friends there of widespread power outages and flooding from wind, rain, and storm surge. Because of poor infrastructure in many areas, lack of electricity, clean water, and food is commonplace across the island.
The Hurricane then made its way to the west coast of Florida, where it made landfall just south of Tampa as a category 4 storm with winds of 155 miles per hour. Damage is catastrophic and widespread across the state. By early next week, Ian will impact the southeastern coast before heading northwest. We expect heavy rains and the threat of tornadoes to continue to be a factor.
Our priority is first to allow emergency crews to begin to work. We are exploring how best to provide financial assistance to those who can quickly supply shelter, food, and water to those most at risk. We will then seek to fund mission teams and organizations that can assist with rebuilding efforts for those who most need it.
We ask that you keep those impacted by these storms in your prayers. Pray also for those who put themselves at risk to keep others safe.
For further information, go to MoravianMission.org or contact the Rt. Rev. Chris Giesler at [email protected].
US citizens can send checks to: Board of World Mission, 1021 Center St., Bethlehem, PA 18018. You may also donate online at MoravianMission.org/Give. Please indicate that your gift is for “MDR.”
Canadians can send checks to: Moravian Church in Canada, 600 Acadia Drive SE, Calgary, AB T2J 0B8. Interac e-Transfer donations may be sent to [email protected]. In the comments section, please mark this donation as “MDR” and include your name and address to receive a tax receipt.
