The Impact of Disasters
Texans have long known their state is far from immune from the effects of hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and other natural hazards. In recent years, mother nature has reiterated that fact on numerous occasions, with hurricanes battering our coasts and communities across the state being confronted with floods and droughts that have left them in need of aid.
Yet during those trying times and others, faith communities have shown their willingness to reach out to fellow citizens and lead them on a road to relief and recovery. Time and again, people brought together by a common faith have been quick to contribute to preparation and relief efforts before, during and after disasters, helping to protect the mental, spiritual, and physical well-being of people in their communities.
Texas has not seen its last disaster, and in the coming years there will almost certainly be more events that will test the state’s resources and institutions. Therefore, the role that faith communities play in preparing and rebuilding disasters will continue to increase in importance.
Leading Long Term Recovery
When a disaster hits, every part of a community becomes engaged and contributes what they can. Once the initial relief efforts end, though, many people must embark on a long path toward rebuilding their homes and their lives with little help. In those circumstances, community-based organizations are critical, and religious communities can play an instrumental role. 
To that end, the Texas Conference of Churches (TCC) is bringing people from the faith community, secular individuals, businesses, and governmental agencies together to support long-term recovery efforts. The TCC Disaster Recovery Project places staff in affected locations around the state in partnership with nonprofit organizations and Long Term Recovery Committees (LTRCs). Part of a national service program, these members create community partnerships, recruit volunteers, secure funding, and help individuals apply for aid.
The TCC Disaster Recovery Project
With the help of coalitions in communities across the state, The TCC Disaster Recovery Project has helped hundreds of Texans get onto the road to recovery. In just two years, the project has:
Opened 4701 disaster survivor cases;
Closed 92% of cases;
Supported the repair of 322 homes;
Recruited 1799 volunteers;
Accumulated 63,499 volunteer hours; and
Gathered $4,453,834 of resources.
As of February 2009, there are 12 full-time staff members working at 10 sites across Texas. Their assignments stretch from El Paso, where floodwaters deluged the county in 2006, to Liberty County, which was hit hard by the Gulf Coast hurricanes. In all of these locations, members have worked hand-in-hand with the faith community to prepare and repair the areas in which they live.
ORGANIZATION (COUNTY)
Liberty County LTRC (Liberty)
Highland Lakes/Hill Country LTRC (Burnet/Llano)
El Paso LTRC (El Paso)
Faith Communities for Disaster Recovery (Hidalgo)
Independence Heights (Harris)
Jesse Tree (Galveston)
Episcopal Diocese of Texas (Galveston)
Brazoria county LTRC (Brazoria)
Central Texas VOAD (Travis)
Aidmatrix (Statewide)
Disaster Recovery Project (Statewide)
Getting Your Religious Community Involved
It is important for faith communities in Texas to be aware of the disaster response procedures and resources that are already in place in their area. A disaster - be it a bridge collapse, an outbreak, or a natural disaster - could happen anywhere and at any time. Even if your community is not hit by a disaster, your place of worship could provide aid to evacuees from other parts of the state and help resettle those who cannot return to their homes.
There are many simple measures your place of worship can take. For starters:
- Develop a contingency plan for your members, facilities, and resources in case of disaster.
- Join a local VOAD (Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster) group, which can help a community coordinate and prepare for future disasters.
- If your area has been affected by a disaster, join the local Long Term Recovery Committee (LTRC).
