Emergency Response

Earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, tornadoes and drought. Severe weather and natural disasters wreak havoc on countries around the world every year. So do pandemics and armed conflicts.

These crises drive hundreds of thousands of people from their homes – sometimes temporarily and other times permanently, often because there’s nothing left of their homes. The first step towards their short-term safety and long-term recovery is receiving emergency aid. And that’s where you come in.

Your Relief Gifts in Action

Here are a few ways that your gifts to IOCC make a difference in response to emergencies around the world:

United States

In the aftermath of record-breaking rains and destructive flooding in Missouri in January 2016, clergy and laity from the pan-Orthodox community of greater St. Louis began mobilizing volunteers desperately needed for cleanup. Thanks to the volunteer efforts of people like you and the support for IOCC’s Emergency Response Network, we’re ready to respond to disasters throughout the US.

Ethiopia

Drought, desert locust infestations, and conflict have left millions in need of emergency assistance throughout Ethiopia. IOCC is providing emergency nutritional support for children under 5 and pregnant and lactating women who lack nutritious food. Working with the Church, IOCC is also helping displaced people and host communities in need with emergency food, including wheat flour and cooking oil, as well as blankets and hygiene items. Emergency WASH programming has restored access to potable water for over 25,000 people by replacing two water pumps and rehabilitating deep boreholes damaged by conflict, and over 600 households affected by desert locust infestations have received cash assistance.

Greece

Even as families across Greece face unemployment and an uncertain future as incomes, pensions, social, and health benefits have been slashed, they have received nearly 1 million migrants and refugees to their shores. Thanks to your generosity, IOCC has responded to the needs of the migrants by providing hot meals, water, hygiene kits, dignity kits for women and by repairing receptions centers to provide access to clean bathrooms and showers.

Syria

More than 7.6 million people have been displaced from their homes in Syria — many families have had to move more than once. With your support, IOCC has provided emergency relief to more than 2.7 million people inside Syria with food parcels, infant care kits, clothing, mattresses, blankets and bedding.