Hurricane Irma left a trail of destruction in its wake as it barreled through the Caribbean and made landfall in Florida. Photos from the islands of St. Martin and Barbuda testify to the sheer force of this storm.
The scenes of devastation are harrowing, but we are thankful that initial reports suggest the damage is not as severe as it could have been.
The crisis that many are facing is still very real, and thousands are in need of assistance.
In Florida, Disaster Response Services is monitoring the situation, and regional managers are connected at the local, state and federal level.
Local churches are being contacted to identify families that were most severely affected. Plans are also underway to respond to the needs in Houston after Hurricane Harvey and Bob Laarman, Director of Disaster Response Services, is in Texas right now.
In the Caribbean, the International Disaster Response team is working with local organizations to determine how best to respond to those in greatest need.
As information continues to become available about the extent of damage in the coming weeks, we ask that you pray for those in need, and please give generously to bring hope to families in great need, not only now, but in the months to come.
“Our heart breaks for the people affected by Hurricane Irma and Harvey, and the floods in South Asia, and we pray and prepare for the needs of families who are beginning to rebuild,” says Kenneth Kim, World Renew’s Director of Disaster Response & Rehabilitation. “As we are called to be the hands and feet of Christ to this world, we look to the next few days and months as we prepare to help those most severely affected.”
To give to World Renew’s response in the United States or to the islands in the Caribbean, please click the donate button located below the image.
South Asia Flooding
World Renew is helping families in South Asia, where flooding is affecting 40 million people.
Hurricane Harvey
To learn about World Renew’s response to Hurricane Harvey, please visit worldrenew.net/hurricaneharvey.
IMAGE CREDIT: People walk in a flooded area after Hurricane Irma caused flooding and a blackout, in Havana, Cuba September 11, 2017. REUTERS/Alexandre Meneghini