http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/church-responds-to-over-100-disasters-in-2012--including-sandy
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints
From the Newsroom
The OFFICIAL RESOURCE for NEWS MEDIA, OPINION LEADERS and the PUBLIC
NEWS RELEASE — 27 FEBRUARY 2013
Church Responds to Over
100 Disasters in 2012
SALT LAKE CITY —
Every year, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provides emergency assistance to people all over the world affected by natural disasters, war and famine. Within hours of a disaster, the Church works with local government officials to determine what supplies and food are needed. Those suffering from loss are helped regardless of nationality or religion.
During 2012, the Church provided victims of 104 disasters in 52 countries with hundreds of thousands of pounds of food, water, clothing, medical supplies, hygiene kits and other relief items. In addition, local Church leaders organized thousands of member volunteers to distribute aid and assist those affected by these disasters, with over 1.3 million volunteer hours of service donated (worth an estimated $28 million).
“As members of the Church, we follow Jesus Christ and His example by helping anyone in need,” said Steve Peterson, managing director of Church Welfare Services, which includes humanitarian aid and disaster response.
The Church’s largest disaster relief effort in 2012 was its Hurricane Sandy response. Approximately 28,000 Church members donated almost 300,000 hours of service to their communities, working with neighbors to help clean up refuse and debris along the East Coast. Church members also helped to distribute food, water, clothing, cleaning supplies, shovels, generators, water pumps and other items.
Sister missionaries from the New York, New York South Mission assist with cleanup after Hurricane Sandy on Staten Island.© All rights reserved.
“When the Church responds to a disaster, we provide material resources and volunteers, but response efforts are really a partnership between our members, their neighbors and communities,” said Lynn Samsel, director of Church Emergency Response.
In addition to Sandy, the Church’s largest disaster responses in 2012 occurred in Syria (civil unrest), the Philippines (typhoons), the United States (tornadoes) and Japan (continuing 2011 earthquake and tsunami recovery efforts). The Church’s response efforts in these areas are detailed below, followed by listings of all disaster responses by the Church in 2012.
A Mormon missionary from the New York, New York South Mission stacks debris in a Valley Stream,
New York neighborhood after Hurricane Sandy, Wednesday, 31 October 2012.© All rights reserved.
Syria — Civil Unrest and Refugee Crisis
Over 150,000 Syrians have fled to Jordan since March 2011 to escape violence in Syria. Another 150,000 or more Syrians have fled to Turkey, and an even greater number have fled to Lebanon.
The Church has provided food, baby formula, hygiene items, diapers, warm clothing, boots and blankets to meet needs at the bulging refugee camps in Jordan and Lebanon.
200,000 blankets, 50,000 children’s coats and 14 pallets of emergency medical supplies have been provided to Syrian refugees in Turkey, and additional support has been requested.
Latter-day Saints help distribute food, water and supplies during times of disaster© All rights reserved.
Philippines — Typhoons
In August 2012, the Manila area of the Philippines was hit with a tropical storm, causing severe flooding and affecting more than 900,000 people. More than 70 deaths were reported.
Church members in the Philippines assembled and distributed food kits, sanitation kits, blankets, clothes, housing materials and other relief items to those affected by the floods.
Mormon Helping Hands volunteers clear away trees and debris after typhoon Pablo in the Philippines© 2013 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
North Carolina Church leader Joseph Catlett helps clear fallen trees after tornadoes hit the area© 2011 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved
United States — Tornadoes
Between the months of March to October 2012, there were more than 900 tornadoes reported in the United States and 68 deaths confirmed.
The biggest tornado outbreaks occurred during March 2012 in the Midwest and South.
The Church provided relief in 12 states, with more than 2,000 volunteers helping with cleanup.
Latter-day Saints cleanup after Hurricane Sandy's devastation on Staten Island.© 2012 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
Houses stand in heaps of rubble after being ripped from their foundations in the powerful tsunami near Ishinomaki, Japan.© 2011 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved
Japan — Earthquake and Tsunami Recovery
A 9.0-magnitude earthquake struck on March 11, 2011.
In 2012, the Church continued to provide assistance to communities devastated by the tsunami.
The Church committed $13 million to support relief and recovery efforts.
More than 250 tons of supplies were distributed during the first few months following the disaster, including food, water, blankets, bedding, hygiene supplies, clothing and fuel.
Over 31,000 Church-sponsored volunteers have provided more than 608,000 hours of service to date.
The Church has established partnerships with government, volunteer and industry organizations.
Latter-day Saint volunteers assemble 30,000 hygiene kits in Japan. Kits were distributed to relief shelters and include basic hygiene needs such as soap, washcloths, toothbrushes, toothpaste and combs.© 2011 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved
An LDS employment resource center is operating in the Sendai area to assist members and others who lost jobs due to the disaster.
Disaster Responses by Type
The following table shows the breakdown of the 2012 responses by disaster type:
Disaster Responses by Country
The following table lists the countries and regions assisted, along with the types of disasters experienced:
Church Response to 2012 Disasters:
Hurricane Sandy
Initial Statement
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/hurricane-sandy-local-mormons-assist
Immediate Response
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/mormon-helping-hands-clean-up-after-sandy
First Week Response
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/new-round-of-cleanup-projects-scheduled-by-mormon-helping-hands
Member Video
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/mormon-helping-hands-hurricane-sandy-video
Continued Efforts
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/sandy-cleanup-update
Thanksgiving Weekend Projects
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/thousands-mormon-volunteers-turn-out-help-victims-sandy-over-thanksgiving-weekend
Follow-up
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/mormons-continue-aid-for-sandy-disaster-into-new-year
Philippines
Manila Flood
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/church-providing-aid-after-devastating-flooding-in-manila
Typhoon Pablo
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/mormons-respond-typhoon-pablo
United States Tornadoes
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/one-hundred-tornadoes-afflict-southern-midwest-united-states
Japan Earthquake and Tsunami: One Year Later
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/japans-earthquake-tsunami-one-year-later
STYLE GUIDE NOTE: When reporting about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please use the complete name of the Church in the first reference. For more information on the use of the name of the Church, go to our online style guide.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints
From the Newsroom
The OFFICIAL RESOURCE for NEWS MEDIA, OPINION LEADERS and the PUBLIC
NEWS RELEASE — 27 FEBRUARY 2013
Church Responds to Over
100 Disasters in 2012
SALT LAKE CITY —
Every year, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provides emergency assistance to people all over the world affected by natural disasters, war and famine. Within hours of a disaster, the Church works with local government officials to determine what supplies and food are needed. Those suffering from loss are helped regardless of nationality or religion.
During 2012, the Church provided victims of 104 disasters in 52 countries with hundreds of thousands of pounds of food, water, clothing, medical supplies, hygiene kits and other relief items. In addition, local Church leaders organized thousands of member volunteers to distribute aid and assist those affected by these disasters, with over 1.3 million volunteer hours of service donated (worth an estimated $28 million).
“As members of the Church, we follow Jesus Christ and His example by helping anyone in need,” said Steve Peterson, managing director of Church Welfare Services, which includes humanitarian aid and disaster response.
The Church’s largest disaster relief effort in 2012 was its Hurricane Sandy response. Approximately 28,000 Church members donated almost 300,000 hours of service to their communities, working with neighbors to help clean up refuse and debris along the East Coast. Church members also helped to distribute food, water, clothing, cleaning supplies, shovels, generators, water pumps and other items.
Sister missionaries from the New York, New York South Mission assist with cleanup after Hurricane Sandy on Staten Island.© All rights reserved.
“When the Church responds to a disaster, we provide material resources and volunteers, but response efforts are really a partnership between our members, their neighbors and communities,” said Lynn Samsel, director of Church Emergency Response.
In addition to Sandy, the Church’s largest disaster responses in 2012 occurred in Syria (civil unrest), the Philippines (typhoons), the United States (tornadoes) and Japan (continuing 2011 earthquake and tsunami recovery efforts). The Church’s response efforts in these areas are detailed below, followed by listings of all disaster responses by the Church in 2012.
A Mormon missionary from the New York, New York South Mission stacks debris in a Valley Stream,
New York neighborhood after Hurricane Sandy, Wednesday, 31 October 2012.© All rights reserved.
Syria — Civil Unrest and Refugee Crisis
Over 150,000 Syrians have fled to Jordan since March 2011 to escape violence in Syria. Another 150,000 or more Syrians have fled to Turkey, and an even greater number have fled to Lebanon.
The Church has provided food, baby formula, hygiene items, diapers, warm clothing, boots and blankets to meet needs at the bulging refugee camps in Jordan and Lebanon.
200,000 blankets, 50,000 children’s coats and 14 pallets of emergency medical supplies have been provided to Syrian refugees in Turkey, and additional support has been requested.
Latter-day Saints help distribute food, water and supplies during times of disaster© All rights reserved.
Philippines — Typhoons
In August 2012, the Manila area of the Philippines was hit with a tropical storm, causing severe flooding and affecting more than 900,000 people. More than 70 deaths were reported.
Church members in the Philippines assembled and distributed food kits, sanitation kits, blankets, clothes, housing materials and other relief items to those affected by the floods.
Mormon Helping Hands volunteers clear away trees and debris after typhoon Pablo in the Philippines© 2013 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
North Carolina Church leader Joseph Catlett helps clear fallen trees after tornadoes hit the area© 2011 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved
United States — Tornadoes
Between the months of March to October 2012, there were more than 900 tornadoes reported in the United States and 68 deaths confirmed.
The biggest tornado outbreaks occurred during March 2012 in the Midwest and South.
The Church provided relief in 12 states, with more than 2,000 volunteers helping with cleanup.
Latter-day Saints cleanup after Hurricane Sandy's devastation on Staten Island.© 2012 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
Houses stand in heaps of rubble after being ripped from their foundations in the powerful tsunami near Ishinomaki, Japan.© 2011 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved
Japan — Earthquake and Tsunami Recovery
A 9.0-magnitude earthquake struck on March 11, 2011.
In 2012, the Church continued to provide assistance to communities devastated by the tsunami.
The Church committed $13 million to support relief and recovery efforts.
More than 250 tons of supplies were distributed during the first few months following the disaster, including food, water, blankets, bedding, hygiene supplies, clothing and fuel.
Over 31,000 Church-sponsored volunteers have provided more than 608,000 hours of service to date.
The Church has established partnerships with government, volunteer and industry organizations.
Latter-day Saint volunteers assemble 30,000 hygiene kits in Japan. Kits were distributed to relief shelters and include basic hygiene needs such as soap, washcloths, toothbrushes, toothpaste and combs.© 2011 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved
An LDS employment resource center is operating in the Sendai area to assist members and others who lost jobs due to the disaster.
Disaster Responses by Type
The following table shows the breakdown of the 2012 responses by disaster type:
Disaster Responses by Country
The following table lists the countries and regions assisted, along with the types of disasters experienced:
Church Response to 2012 Disasters:
Hurricane Sandy
Initial Statement
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/hurricane-sandy-local-mormons-assist
Immediate Response
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/mormon-helping-hands-clean-up-after-sandy
First Week Response
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/new-round-of-cleanup-projects-scheduled-by-mormon-helping-hands
Member Video
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/mormon-helping-hands-hurricane-sandy-video
Continued Efforts
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/sandy-cleanup-update
Thanksgiving Weekend Projects
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/thousands-mormon-volunteers-turn-out-help-victims-sandy-over-thanksgiving-weekend
Follow-up
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/mormons-continue-aid-for-sandy-disaster-into-new-year
Philippines
Manila Flood
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/church-providing-aid-after-devastating-flooding-in-manila
Typhoon Pablo
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/mormons-respond-typhoon-pablo
United States Tornadoes
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/one-hundred-tornadoes-afflict-southern-midwest-united-states
Japan Earthquake and Tsunami: One Year Later
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/japans-earthquake-tsunami-one-year-later
STYLE GUIDE NOTE: When reporting about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please use the complete name of the Church in the first reference. For more information on the use of the name of the Church, go to our online style guide.
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