The Baptist World Alliance® (BWA) has launched an appeal to assist persons in the United States who have suffered from a series of disasters.
These include Hurricane Sandy that affected areas of New York and New Jersey in 2012, tornadoes that hit areas of the Midwest, including Oklahoma in May of this year, and wild fires in several states such as Colorado in June.
Funds received by the BWA will be used for long term recovery and will be aimed at individuals and families. “We are aware that after first responders and the media leave after a disaster occurs, families still have the task of putting their lives back together,” said Rothangliani Chhangte, director of Baptist World Aid, the relief and development arm of the BWA. “We, as Baptists, wish to give practical support and identify with persons who continue to experience the after-effects of these events.”
Hurricane Sandy, which formed in late October, was the deadliest and most destructive hurricane of the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season, as well as the second-costliest hurricane in US history. It affected 24 states, including the entire eastern seaboard from Florida to Maine, with particularly severe damage in New Jersey and New York.
Sandy killed at least 285 people across the US, the Caribbean, and Canada. The storm severely damaged or destroyed approximately 100,000 homes on Long Island in New York with more than 2,000 homes deemed uninhabitable there. Damage in the US amounted to US$65 billion.
Severe tornadoes formed in parts of the US in May and June. The worst of these was in Oklahoma on May 20 when a large, violent tornado touched down west of Newcastle and caused widespread destruction of the town of Moore. There were 24 confirmed fatalities.
The Black Forest fire of Colorado State began on June 11, destroying more than 500 homes and killing at least two people. Other states affected by wildfires include Arizona and New Mexico.
“We believe that Baptists around the world wish to extend a hand of support to those who have been severely affected,” Chhangte said. “We encourage Baptists to pray for victims of these disasters and to provide for their relief.
Donations may be made online at www.bwanet.org or sent to:
Baptist World Aid
405 North Washington Street
Falls Church, VA 22046
USA
Baptist World Alliance®
© June 24, 2013