Lutheran Disaster Response > Long-Term Recovery > Disaster Update

Update on the Gulf of Mexico oil spill

July 15, 2010

In collaboration with the other members of National VOAD and Church World Service, Lutheran Disaster Response continues to assess the needs of the many people affected by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. One unmet need that has clearly emerged is for emotional and spiritual care, specifically for young people. This is an area where we as Lutherans have a proud heritage, by providing programs that address the emotional needs of children and teens who have experienced a trauma or disaster.

Two such programs -- "Camp Noah" and "God's Can-Do Kids" -- have proven effective in helping young people to cope with their fears and anxieties of disasters and are well respected in the disaster response community. These programs, which are similar to a Vacation Bible School and range in length from two days to a full week, offer children and teens a chance to cope and heal through games, crafts, stories and other activities.

Seeing this need, Lutheran Disaster Response has made a disbursement from the undesignated disaster fund to host these programs in the Gulf Coast states, beginning with a program in Pensacola, Florida during the last week of July. The undesignated fund allows Lutheran Disaster Response and its affiliates to participate in "Readiness and Response" activities in the absence of a major funding appeal. To contribute to this Readiness and Response fund, and support Lutheran Disaster Response in providing children's programs for those affected by the oil spill, click here.