Hurricane Irma Update- 9-10-17

Our hearts and prayers are with the people most affected by Hurricane Irma. Please continue to pray for people who are being affected by Irma.  Also, please pray for our volunteers who will be going to help. NCBM Disaster Relief volunteers and equipment are ready to respond.  Florida Baptists have us on the first call list when it is safe to move.  We will need many volunteers to help with the initial feeding efforts and later with recovery work.  Please sign up at www.baptistsonmission.org/irma.

As you know, the size and strength of Hurricane Irma is unprecedented over such a large area.  There are some things you need to know on the best ways to help:

1. Feeding/lifesaving will be the first priority. Our feeding units will be the first priority. The mud-outs/tear-outs and clean up can wait a week or more. Especially since there will probably be widespread power outages and difficulty traveling to Florida during the first week or two. We will need a lot of clean-up volunteers (trained and untrained) but the first priority will be feeding/lifesaving. We will be using all the clean-up/recovery volunteers we can get, but probably not in the first week or so.
2. Our initial response will probably be to an area that does not have power. Volunteers should expect difficult and hot conditions (no air conditioning) and a need to produce a large number of meals. This will probably be a very difficult, but rewarding place to serve. If you have health concerns please do not go in the first week or two. There will be many opportunities to help in the weeks and months to come.
3. Cash is the best way to give a donation.  It permits us to purchase exactly what is needed and when it is needed.  Often times we also handle in kind donations, but only what is needed and only when we have a local partner who has a place to store and distribute what is most needed.  
4. Hurricane Irma will cause widespread transportation problems, especially in Florida.  Don’t self-deploy to Florida.  If you go in too early your presence may tie up limited resources that are needed by locals (food, water, fuel, etc.).
5. Continue to Pray, Give and Go! Thank you!