IOCC: Update on Hurricane Harvey relief efforts
BALTIMORE, MD [IOCC] — Thank you from International Orthodox Christian Charities [IOCC] for your tremendous outpouring of prayers and support for those affected by Hurricane Harvey and its aftermath. We ask you to keep those affected by Hurricane Harvey in your prayers and also those now facing Hurricane Irma.
IOCC has been in the region since early last week providing care and we will continue to be in the Houston region and Louisiana for weeks and months to come.
IOCC’s Frontliner Team was the first group to offer emotional and spiritual care in the “mega-shelter” at the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston, and they remain a steadfast presence there, collectively offering 12 hours of care daily to both survivors and volunteers, as well as to law-enforcement officers, at the center.
The IOCC Emergency Response Van and Staff arrived in Houston on 9/1 for a Rapid Needs Assessment, and IOCC’s first muck-out team took place on Saturday 9/2. Some 50–75 more houses are slated for assessments in the coming day to see what needs might exist for IOCC muck-out teams in the coming 7–14 days.
IOCC has arranged, through partners Church World Service and Good360, for two truckloads of hygiene kits, clean-up buckets, food and baby products to the Houston area, arriving early the week of 9/4/17. IOCC staff is checking in with every Orthodox parish in the region to assess clean-up and other needs. Parishioners who have specific clean-up needs are asked to speak to their parish priest, who will coordinate with IOCC.
How can you help?
- Make a gift.
- Create clean up buckets. Our supply of clean up buckets has been depleted at our warehouse, please consider creating clean up buckets and shipping to our warehouse for distribution. Instructions on creating and shipping kits are available on-line.
- Sign up to volunteer for clean-up efforts in the region. Houston-area volunteers will be of greatest help at the moment. Because we expect this to be a busy hurricane season, there will be additional opportunities for other volunteers.
- Share our good work by following us on our social media channels (IOCCRelief) and share how IOCC is responding to support people in need.
Established in 1992, IOCC is the official humanitarian agency of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America. In 2017, IOCC celebrated its 25th year of global philanthropic outreach.
