Presbyterian Mission Agency Disaster Response Archives

Hurricanes devastated huge area that needs long-term support, synod exec says

Posted November 7th, 2024

As a Synod executive based in Texas and now Florida, Valerie Young is exceedingly familiar with Hurricanes. The striking thing about the one-two punch of Hurricanes Helene and Milton is the breadth of the area severely impacted by the storms.

Montreat Conference Center and community grapple with effects of Helene

Posted October 4th, 2024

When word began to circulate that western North Carolina had suffered massive damage from Hurricane Helene, one of the landmarks that came to the mind of many Presbyterians was Montreat Conference Center.

Charlotte clergy organize to deliver help and hope in Hurricane Helene’s aftermath

Posted October 2nd, 2024

As longtime ministry colleagues in the Presbytery of Charlotte in North Carolina, the Revs. Drs. Lori Archer Raible and Amantha Barbee have maintained a close friendship through the years, united in their love of neighbor and their shared passion for justice.

Hurricane Helene recovery efforts continue amid PDA deployments and generosity from volunteers and churches

Posted October 2nd, 2024

Nearly a week after Hurricane Helene made landfall, communities that sustained damage are still reeling from the consequences of the storm that tore through a major swath of the southeastern United States and caused an estimated 160 deaths.

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) worship service honors those who’ve experienced disasters

Posted August 29th, 2024

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance led a worship service this week in honor of people all over the world who have been affected by natural disasters or other tragedies, from tornadoes to gun violence.

From Beryl to Ernesto, ‘extremely active’ hurricane season continues

Posted August 15th, 2024

As then-tropical storm Ernesto neared Puerto Rico earlier this week, the director of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance briefed colleagues on the storm that was to come.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance expands recovery support in Haiti

Posted August 13th, 2024

It’s easy to take clean drinking water for granted in the United States, but in countries like Haiti, it is a precious commodity.

The full circle of gun violence prevention

Posted July 16th, 2024

Sometimes things come full circle. The scene: At a Presbyterian Peacemaking Program conference at Ghost Ranch in 2010, a filmmaker from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance heeds a plea from retired pastor James Atwood to make a documentary about gun violence and its impact on families and communities. The result is the award-winning film, “Trigger: The Ripple Effect of Gun Violence,” since seen by millions of viewers. Flash forward: This August 22-25, David Barnhart and his PDA crew will roll the cameras again at the James Atwood Institute for Congregational Courage at Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico. The goal? To interview participants at the new gun violence prevention training event honoring the late Jim Atwood. The result? A planned sequel to “Trigger,” as part of the Presbyterian Decade to End Gun Violence.

Following a visit by PMA staff, a PC(USA) partner reflects on six years of refugee work in Eastern Europe

Posted June 24th, 2024

In all of Church World Service’s programs, there is an element that allows us to thrive: our partnerships. We recently took the time to appreciate one of these partnerships when our PC(USA) friends and colleagues Ellen Smith, Regional Liaison for Central and Eastern Europe, and Luciano Kovacs, Middle East and Europe Area Coordinator, visited CWS programs in Bihac in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Belgrade in Serbia.

‘You shall love the alien as yourself’

Posted June 12th, 2024

Ahead of World Refugee Day on June 20, Wednesday’s Chapel Service for the national staff of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) focused on the recorded personal stories of five refugees living and working in the United States.