Disaster Response Services
CAM's Disaster Response Services (DRS) reaches out to communities in the United States that have been devastated by disasters.
Disaster Response Services
Rebuilding projects
If long-term recovery help is needed in a disaster area, our Disaster Response Services (DRS) program sets up a base, and we schedule volunteer work teams to rebuild homes. Recipients are those who are underinsured, low-income, and have nowhere else to turn for help. DRS rebuilding projects can last from several months to several years, providing opportunities for our staff and volunteers to build relationships and show Christ’s love to people in the United States.
Rapid Response Services
Cleanup projects
Rapid Response Services offers cleanup services to individuals and communities affected by natural disasters. Rapid Response teams in various locations in the U.S. facilitate quick response to disasters close to home. The goal of a Rapid Response team is to move into a community within 24 hours to investigate the damages and to bring in volunteers within 48 hours to help with preliminary cleanup. Volunteers help cut up trees, remove debris, clean out flooded houses, and install tarps on damaged roofs.
Search & Rescue
“to seek and to save” (Luke 19:10)
Each day an average of 136 people go missing in the United States. Many places lack the expertise and equipment to locate missing persons. To help fill this need, CAM has launched Search & Rescue as an arm of Rapid Response Services.
Projects to date
Houses rebuilt or repaired
Volunteers
Cleanup and rebuilding projects
Hours of labor
Details on Rapid Response projects
| Albany, GA | Tornado | Jan 3-5 |
| Monte Rio, CA | Flooding | Jan 14 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | Tornado | Jan 23-24 |
| Thomasville & Albany, GA | Tornado | Jan 23-Feb 24 |
| San Jose, CA | Flood | Feb 25-Mar 11 |
| Hellam York, PA | Tornado | Feb 27-Mar 1 |
| Cocalico, PA | Tornado | Feb 27-Mar 6 |
| Perrysville, MO | Tornado | Feb 28-Mar 4 |
| Cottage Grove, TN | Wind | Mar 1 |
| Fort Branch, IN | Tornado | Mar 3 |
| St. Joe, Parthenon, Big Flat, AR | Tornado | Mar 3-10 |
| Dekalb, TX | Fire | Mar 7 |
| Oak Grover, MO | Tornado | Mar 7-9 |
| Marys Home, MO | Tornado | Mar 8 |
| Dorchester, WI | Tornado | Mar 9 |
| Decaturville, TN | Tornado | Mar 30-31 |
| Leesburg, OH | Tornado | Mar 23 |
| Ellaville, GA | Tornado | April 5-7 |
| Hasty, AR | Tornado | April 5 |
| Marshallville, GA | Tornado | April 27-28 |
| Harrison, AR | Flood | May 2-3 |
| Eustace, TX | Tornado | May 1-5 |
| Kilmichael, MS | Tornado | May 5 |
| Thomasville, MO | Flood | May 4-18 |
| Van Buren, MO | Flood | May 11-27 |
| Charles City, IA | Wind | May 16-17 |
| Salem, IN | Flood | May 22 |
| Chetek, WI | Tornado | May 26 |
| Gleason, WI | Tornado | June 12 |
| Beldenville, WI | Tornado | June 30-July 1 |
| Midland, MI | Flood | July 3-8 |
| Mason City, IA | Wind | July 15 |
| Pearl City, IL | Flood | July 25-26 |
| Findlay, OH | Flood | July 18 & 25 |
| Riceville, IA | Wind | July 20 & 25 |
| Freeport, IL | Flood | Aug 1-4 |
| Alta Vista, IA | Wind | Aug 10 |
| Texas Hurriane Harvey | Hurricane | Sept 4-Oct 27 |
| California | Wild Fire | June 29-Sept 9 |
| Florida Hurricane Irma | Hurricane | Sept 14-27 |
| Galion, OH | Tornado | Nov 7-8 |
| Portland, IN | Tornado | Nov 11 |
Updates from the field
Miller/Yoder Tragedy
Disaster Response Accident Update
On Tuesday, February 6, around 5:30 p.m., a volunteer work crew was returning to the Christian Aid Ministries Disaster Response base in Lumberton, North Carolina, when they were involved in a serious traffic accident. Two volunteers were killed and two others seriously injured.
Josiah Miller, age 47, and Kevin Yoder, age 18, died in the crash. Both were from the New Order Amish community in Hustonville, Kentucky. Josiah leaves behind his wife Susan and 10 children, 8 still at home…
read more
Mudslides Devastate Southern California
CAM Rapid Response Team Researches Ways to Help Two days after mudslides plummeted down hillsides of Southern California, the search for survivors continues. At least 17 people are dead—including four children—and more than a dozen people are still missing. Hundreds...
read more
CAM Plans to Rebuild in Puerto Rico
Hurricane Maria wreaked havoc on the island of Puerto Rico on September 25, ripping roofs off concrete houses, flattening wooden structures, and bringing heavy flooding. Much of the island is still without power, phone service, or running water. “There are so many...
read moreNotes from our mailbox
I went back to see the damage to my home and saw that everything that was on the floor…was ruined and getting moldy. I didn’t know where to start or what to do, then a man named John Beiler came to my door and told me of Christian Aid Ministries. I just cried with relief.
Words simply cannot express my gratitude…You literally saved my home. There is no way I could have gotten through this without your help, emotionally or physically. You are a God-send and I think you are really angels.
You all ministered in more ways than just cutting tree limbs and dragging them to the street. All of you were such a great testimony to all my family.
We can never thank you enough for helping us through a difficult time in Clendenin, West Virginia. The wonderful team. . . worked so hard and prayed with us before leaving. . . We will always be grateful.
How can you help?
If you wish to help fund rebuilding and cleanup projects, please use the contribution form below.
Disaster Response Services/Rapid Response
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