IOCC’s US Program focuses on disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. In practice, this means several different things, and IOCC works with trusted partners to serve people who’ve survived disasters, as well as those who are helping them.
For several weeks now, IOCC has had a team on the ground in Louisiana, cleaning up in the wake of Hurricane Ida. After completing needs assessments, the crew got to work mucking and gutting damaged homes, removing debris, and clearing fallen trees. IOCC Frontliners have also deployed to provide emotional and spiritual care (ESC) to homeowners—as well as to volunteers and other team members helping communities affected by this destructive storm.
Here are some notes from IOCC Frontliner Fr. Joel Weir, who spent some time with our team on the ground. “When I was deployed for this I knew that I was tasked with doing a combination of ESC and field work,” Fr. Joel shared. “The two days being able to take time to listen to [local homeowner] Ms. Andrea was truly a blessing to me—her faith, even in the midst of such loss and uncertainty … was profound. I hope I brought something to help her out. We talked and prayed together. I also saw the moments where I could provide ESC to the other team members … something I keep in my mind always when in the field.”
These reflections offer just a glimpse of the ministry your support makes possible through IOCC—in this case, right here at home, for our US neighbors in need.
