Office for Social Concerns
Catholic Diocese of Columbus
Disaster Response
The Office for Social Concerns has developed a network to be Christ's presence when natural or human-made disasters occur within the 23 counties of the diocese and to help provide what disaster agencies call unmet needs. The office also coordinates response efforts for disasters outside of the diocese at the state, national, and international levels.
Disaster Response Updates
Response to Devastating Earthquake in Haiti
A 7.0 magnitude earthquake has ravaged the island nation of Haiti on January 12. The quake occurred 10 miles southwest of the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince just before 5pm EST (Haiti is also on EST). Port-au-Prince, with a population of over 2 million, has been devastated. Catholic Relief Services (CRS) country representative Karel Zelenka reports that “Port-au-Prince was covered with a plume of dust from damaged buildings. We should be prepared for many thousands of dead and injured.”
CRS has made an initial commitment of 5 million dollars for immediate use in the relief effort. CRS is mobilizing food and gearing up their emergency capacity and deploying prepositioned emergency shelter and hygiene kits in Haiti, as well as bringing supplies in from the neighboring Dominican Republic.
Please help the people of Haiti with your prayers and your support of CRS. CRS is the international relief agency of the U.S. Catholics. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and was still recovering from deadly 2008 hurricanes when the quake struck.
Prayer
God of all creation, as we weep with our family in Haiti, console us.
In this time of crisis, open our eyes to look beyond the disaster
to see Christ in our brothers and sisters in Haiti, as Christ sees us.
Be with us as we stand in solidarity with those living and working in Haiti.
Be with us in our mourning and guide our efforts to feed the hungry,
shelter the homeless, comfort the grieving and stand for justice.
With your mercy, sustain us at this time as we continue to work for peace and justice.
Amen.
How to Help:
Donate via phone: 1-877-HELP-CRS
Write a check: Catholic Relief Services
P.O. Box 17090
Baltimore, Maryland 21203-7090
Memo portion of check: Haiti Earthquake
Hurricane Recovery Efforts
Catholic Charities USA is collecting financial donations to help communities recover from the damage caused by recent hurricanes. Donations will be used to fund local Catholic Charities agencies' emergency and long-term humanitarian relief efforts.
To contribute to Catholic Charities USA's response efforts:
Call (800) 919-9338
Visit www.CatholicCharitiesUSA.org
Send checks to:
Catholic Charities USA
Hurricane Recovery
PO Box 17066
Baltimore, MD 21297-1066
Disaster Response Links
Local
Office for Social Concerns, Catholic Diocese of Columbus For the latest information about disaster relief efforts at the local, state, national, and international levels, call (614) 241-2540 or email socmailbox@colsdioc.org.
State
Ohio Voluntary Organization Active in Disaster (OH-VOAD)
Ohio Community Service Council
National
Catholic Charities USA The Disaster Response Office of Catholic Charities USA coordinates the Catholic Church's response to disasters in the United States and grants relief funds to local Catholic Charities agencies. Catholic Charities agencies provide critical services including emergency food, shelter, direct financial assistance, counseling, and recovery support. For a direct link to their Disaster Response webpage, click here.
International
Catholic Relief Services CRS is the official overseas relief and development agency of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. CRS responds to both natural disasters and complex emergencies around the world. For a direct link to their Emergency Response webpage, click here.
Additional Preparedness and Response Links
Ready: Prepare, Plan, Stay Informed (Federal website)
Ready Kids
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
FEMA's Complete "Are You Ready" guide, 204 pages
Recover & Rebuild Information (FEMA)
- What to do after a disaster.
- Immediately after a disaster: What to do during the first 48 hours.
- Taking care of those in need.
- My home/property was damaged or destroyed.
Volunteer Opportunities
Ohio Community Service Council
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