KIDRP DISASTER BULLETIN 5-24-00:

We are now in the recovery phase and we are in urgent need for funds to support volunteer activities, mainly in the areas of building materials and administrative support. GENEROUS AND IMMEDIATE MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS WILL DO THE MOST GOOD FOR THE VICTIMS OF THIS DISASTER. Contributions may be sent to the Kenucky Council of Churches, KIDRP Account, 2549 Richmond Road Suite 302, Lexington, KY 40509.

KIDRP DISASTER BULLETIN 3-10-00:

Flooding along the Ohio has devastated a section of Lewis County (Vanceburg) in Eastern Kentucky, in an area that was not in a floodplain and therefore, its victims had very little insurance coverage. This region is also one of the poorest and most depressed in the state with an 18.3% unemployment rate! CWS consultant Shirley Norman is now on the scene in Lewis County and is setting up an interfaith committee which will function over the long haul. UMcor representatives have made a preliminary assessment of the area and are preparing to call in work teams and resources for the recovery period. The KIDRP coordinator will be attending a meeting of the committee on Wednesday, N4arch 15, and based on that meeting will be instrumental in organizing a permanent group made up of community leaders, and federal and state agencies active in disaster. Following is the latest Red Cross damage assessment summary based on I 00% completion:

>29 single dwelling units totally destroyed in Lewis County, 1 in Greenup County.
>40 mobile homes destroyed in Lewis County, 2 in Greenup County, and I in Carter County

>In Lewis, Greenup, and Carter Counties over 100 additional dwellings received major or minor damage.

Present assessments indicate that an enormous amount of resources will be needed in this area. An emergency meeting of The KIDRP Committee is being called later this month to deal with the immediate disaster problems in Kentucky. By the time of this meeting more information regarding what kind of resources will be required will be available. The Lewis County disaster will undoubtedly be high on our priority list for the immediate future. The positive thing is, information about victims will be forthcoming in a timely fashion and restoration work can begin in earnest at a very early date. Church judicatories should begin NOW to execute the provision of funds to relieve the suffering in this area and be ready to respond to our requests for assistance. In this case, we have many groups who are willing to do the work, so financial resources will help us to defray costs of materials and personal sustenance needs of workers. Again, KIDRP IS A PLAYER ON THIS TEAM. OTHER GROUPS WILL CONTRIBUTE AS THEY ARE ABLE- AND ACCORDING TO THE KIND OF ASSISTANCE THEY TRADTIONALLY RENDER.

As always, be in prayer, not only for the disaster victims, but for a community that is experiencing suffering beyond which any community should be expected to endure. Disaster alone is enough of a burden; when combined with economic deprivation, it becomes a double catastrophe. We must not fail these people in their hour of greatest need.

Contact KIDRP coordinator, John Kays, to find our more about how you can help.