Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America
3838 W. Cypress St
Tampa, FL 33607
813-876-7660
813-870-0826 fax
en español
What Does Lutheran
Disaster
Response Provide?
3 September 2004
Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) is intended to provide for needs following a disaster that are not provided by insurance, the government (FEMA), or other social service agencies, with a special focus on the poor, the elderly, children and those with no voice as well as on Lutheran churches and people.
According to the Steps to Receive Benefits, victims of any disaster should first address basic needs of food, shelter and water through American Red Cross. Second, they should contact their insurance company. Third, they should make application to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). FEMA will help to determine if Small Business Loan applications should be filled out and if unemployment benefits are appropriate.
Once these steps have been followed, Lutheran Disaster Response is there to help with remaining unmet needs -- assistance for the uninsured, volunteer help with cleanup and rebuilding, identification and distribution of needed resources not met by other services, etc. Lutheran Disaster Response works principally with Lutheran pastors, churches, agencies and church members to assist where no other assistance is available. LDR has traditionally continued to work in a disaster area long after other agencies have gone.
In Florida, LDR works through Lutheran Services Florida in Tampa, in cooperation with the Florida-Bahamas Synod ELCA and the Florida-Georgia District LCMS. In the northeast, LDR works through Lutheran Social Services Northeast.