Salvation Army, Convoy of Hope and Billy Graham partner to get relief to Colorado flood victims
Several faith-based relief effort crews from the Salvation Army, the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team and Convoy of Hope, a relief organization, have been dispatched to aid victims in several flood-stricken areas of Colorado, after torrential rains inundated a vast majority of the state nearly a week ago.
Convoy of Hope relief worker Colorado Flooding 2013
At least eight people have been killed by deadly flooding that swamped 17 counties, while over 500 continue to be unaccounted for, which state officials say could be an issue of “book-keeping and cross-referencing,” according to ABC News.
In addition, thousands have been forced to evacuate their homes while nearly an estimated 18,000 houses have been damaged.
Billy Graham Rapid Response Team, a ministry of crisis trained volunteer chaplains, who usually deploy in the aftermath of any given disaster, have been in Colorado since the weekend with the purpose to help assess the devastation while providing emotional and spiritual care to flood victims who have suddenly become homeless.
“People don’t know what they should do,” Toni New said, a member of the Rapid Response Team, according to the ministry’s website. “A lot of people can’t even get into their homes. They’re lost on what their next step is.”
Salvation Army response units have been in Colorado for days now and have provided over 10,000 meals to residents while they continue to establish short and long-term evacuation shelters that will remain open for the next 30 to 90 days.
“The Salvation Army is currently providing assistance to first responders, law enforcement and evacuees in seven counties across Colorado,” Lt. Col. Dan Starrett said, a divisional commander for the Salvation Army. “Our organization is prepared to remain there for Coloradans as long as needed even through the long recovery phase ahead.”
Convoy of Hope sent out several tractor trailers of relief supplies to areas including Longmont, Evans, Boulder, and other counties along with team members to help clean up the disaster damage.
“Our priority has been to help people with debris removal and doing mud-outs of their home. The goal is to help survivors mitigate further damage to their homes. Our teams have also brought debris removal equipment such as masks and gloves so homeowners and volunteers can work safely,” said Jeff Roman, senior director of marketing and public relations for Convoy of Hope
More on the Salvation Army effort – here
Convoy of Hope on Colorado relief – read it here
Details on the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team here
