pda

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance responds to fires in Colorado, Utah and southern California

More than a dozen wildfires have been burning across Colorado and parts of Utah and California in recent weeks, leaving a path of destruction that includes nearly 300 homes and forcing the evacuation of hundreds of residents. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reports that firefighters appear to have gained the upper hand in most of the fires.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance calls on volunteers to help in disaster recovery

Strong hurricanes, record flooding and massive wildfires have taken their toll on volunteer groups aiding in clean up and recovery. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance says that groups have been working hard in recent years to help communities rebuild, but the continuous string of powerful hurricanes and other natural disasters are making it harder to find enough people to meet the need.

Houghton, Michigan residents show resilience in recent flooding

Residents of Houghton, Michigan are still cleaning up from the impact of heavy rains and floods over a week ago. The National Weather Service reports more than six inches of rain fell June 16-17, sending rivers and streams over their banks and causing significant damage to several main roads in and out of town.

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to commemorate World Refugee Day on June 20

As the U.S. debates the moral and legal ramifications of federal raids on illegal immigrants, the United Nations Refugee Agency will commemorate World Refugee Day on Wednesday, June 20. The event began in 2000 to raise awareness on the global responsibility for refugees.

Guatemala deals with aftermath of volcano eruption

The death toll continues to climb following Sunday’s eruption of the Fuego Volcano in Guatemala. More than 100 people are known to have died following the blast, and more than 200 are still unaccounted for. Communities near the volcano are buried under ash and rock.

Montreat suffers flood damage from Tropical Storm Alberto

Remnants of Tropical Storm Alberto have caused serious problems for western North Carolina this week. Record rainfall over the past three weeks, coupled with flooding on Tuesday evening, has impacted many communities, including Montreat.

Nuevos estudios de Harvard: miles de personas murieron en Puerto Rico tras el huracán María

Un nuevo estudio de la Escuela de Salud Pública T.H. Chan en Harvard estima que el número de muertes durante y después del huracán María puede estar cerca de 4,600 o más. El estudio, publicado esta semana en el New England Journal of Medicine, sugiere que la falta de acceso a la atención médica y a las necesidades básicas pueden haber sido factores que contribuyeron a esta situación.