AGENCY SEEKS OUT DIASTER DIASPORA
& “EMBRACEABLE COMMUNITIES”

World Emergency Relief’s response to Hurricane Katrina is now ramping up its Phase II response.

WER’s Phase I response included 11 truckloads (roughly 400,000 pounds) of emergency aid delivered to churches, food banks and FEMA staging areas around Katrina’s 50,000 square miles of wrath. Last Friday we committed ten additional truckloads (350,000) pounds of food, hygiene and other emergency supplies to back up what has already been distributed and soon will run out.

Using WER’s trademarked post-tsunami strategy, we are seeking “embraceable communities” in the stricken Gulf region, places where our resources can fill in for needs not met in a timely manner by government or other sources. Embraceable communities could include villages, schools, orphanages and other smaller, civic outreaches serving local humanitarian needs.

Our Chief Executive Joel MacCollam and his wife launched Phase II after visiting Houston churches helping evacuees at that city’s famous Astrodome, offering WER’s resources to local groups aiding people reaching Houston.

Citing the unusual dynamics of this tragedy, MacCollam branded the storm’s aftermath a third, unique disaster of biblical proportions. “With over 400,000 people scattered around America, this is a contemporary diasporas of people ripped from their homes and communities. Long-term aid will become more difficult to deliver both to the victims and relief workers.”

Meanwhile, WER expects to recruit a skilled team of San Diego construction specialists later this month to help damaged churches and other local facilities recover their usability; to help increase their outreaches to citizens needing encouragement and direct aid during the next year.

WER is still accepting restricted donations for Hurricane Katrina, as well as general purpose disaster funds which may be used for Katrina or other similar concerns, including possible damage later this hurricane season from other storms.