Disaster Relief Update

[pam]

I happened to see this on Mormon newsroom facebook page regarding an update to humanitarian efforts.

 

The Church provided the following update about humanitarian efforts impacting those affected by hurricanes Irma and Maria:

There is currently great need existing in Puerto Rico and the surrounding islands, and all those who have been impacted by hurricanes Irma and Maria are in our thoughts and prayers. The Church is mobilizing humanitarian resources to help. This includes providing food, water and other commodities to the islands in that region. Additional supplies will be sent in the future to help with recovery and reconstruction efforts as we better assess the situation.

At the current time, non-perishable food items are being sent from the Church’s welfare system to Puerto Rico. In addition, arrangements have been made with a few large grocery store chains on the island to purchase bulk items to support members of the Church and the community. A supply of building materials, including plywood, roofing materials, nails, tools and tarps, is being shipped from the U.S. mainland. The Church is also working with the Red Cross and other relief agencies to support their efforts to shelter displaced residents, distribute food and other essentials, and provide home repair materials. Relief efforts are likewise underway in Mexico in response to the recent earthquakes there.

We can confirm that all missionaries are safe and accounted for. However, the islands in the region are largely without power, water and food is in short supply. Missionaries, who have been engaged in cleanup efforts since the storm's passing, are being transferred from the islands in the Puerto Rico San Juan Mission and temporarily reassigned in other areas until basic needs can be met, and then they will return to help.

In addition, the Caribbean Area Presidency provided the following statement:

We have been collaborating with local priesthood leaders located at the most affected areas in order to assess the situation of our members, missionaries, meetinghouses and the situation in general. At the present time, our greatest interest is to safeguard human lives and evaluate the situation in order to identify the best way possible to help those in need and cooperate with efforts from local authorities. As we assess the situation, we're confident that effective ways to help as necessary will be identified.

[anatess2]

13 hours ago, pam said:

I happened to see this on Mormon newsroom facebook page regarding an update to humanitarian efforts.

 

The Church provided the following update about humanitarian efforts impacting those affected by hurricanes Irma and Maria:

There is currently great need existing in Puerto Rico and the surrounding islands, and all those who have been impacted by hurricanes Irma and Maria are in our thoughts and prayers. The Church is mobilizing humanitarian resources to help. This includes providing food, water and other commodities to the islands in that region. Additional supplies will be sent in the future to help with recovery and reconstruction efforts as we better assess the situation.

At the current time, non-perishable food items are being sent from the Church’s welfare system to Puerto Rico. In addition, arrangements have been made with a few large grocery store chains on the island to purchase bulk items to support members of the Church and the community. A supply of building materials, including plywood, roofing materials, nails, tools and tarps, is being shipped from the U.S. mainland. The Church is also working with the Red Cross and other relief agencies to support their efforts to shelter displaced residents, distribute food and other essentials, and provide home repair materials. Relief efforts are likewise underway in Mexico in response to the recent earthquakes there.

We can confirm that all missionaries are safe and accounted for. However, the islands in the region are largely without power, water and food is in short supply. Missionaries, who have been engaged in cleanup efforts since the storm's passing, are being transferred from the islands in the Puerto Rico San Juan Mission and temporarily reassigned in other areas until basic needs can be met, and then they will return to help.

In addition, the Caribbean Area Presidency provided the following statement:

We have been collaborating with local priesthood leaders located at the most affected areas in order to assess the situation of our members, missionaries, meetinghouses and the situation in general. At the present time, our greatest interest is to safeguard human lives and evaluate the situation in order to identify the best way possible to help those in need and cooperate with efforts from local authorities. As we assess the situation, we're confident that effective ways to help as necessary will be identified.

So, I chatted with missionaries in mormong.org and they said the Church has not sent aid to the Virgin Islands?  

[Jane_Doe]

4 hours ago, anatess2 said:

So, I chatted with missionaries in mormong.org and they said the Church has not sent aid to the Virgin Islands?  

Perhaps there's logistical issues getting there?  One thing with disasters is that they destroy airports & docks and make it so hard to physically get aide there.

[anatess2]

3 hours ago, Jane_Doe said:

Perhaps there's logistical issues getting there?  One thing with disasters is that they destroy airports & docks and make it so hard to physically get aide there.

Yes, airports are shut down.  Docks aren't.  But I find it hard to believe we don't have a branch/ward/stake/anything there.

[Jane_Doe]

4 minutes ago, anatess2 said:

Yes, airports are shut down.  Docks aren't.  But I find it hard to believe we don't have a branch/ward/stake/anything there.

I'd guess everyone that is there is working-- they don't have much choice.  But getting outside aide in?  That does take logistical power.  

(I don't actually have any solid knowledge of this case-- I'm just guessing )