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
Disaster Response Services rebuilding underway
Our DRS rebuilding projects are in full swing at a record number of disaster locations. Staff and volunteers are busy rebuilding and remodeling houses for disaster survivors in various states as well as Puerto Rico.
read more
Hurricane Harvey and His Sisters
Did you help cleanup or rebuild after the terrible damage caused by Hurricane Harvey or the other hurricanes of 2017?
read more
Hurricane Michael Updates
The devastation . . . is breathtaking. Electric poles are lying on the ground and miles of power lines, like snarled fishing line. Vehicles are huddled under fallen roofs or surrounded by debris, ready to be dug out and evaluated for damages. Trees are lying everywhere. Acres of trees are snapped in pieces. Roofs have gaping holes and siding has been shredded. Water, once taken for granted is rationed carefully. Food is appreciated like a small savings account.
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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Read stories of lives that have been changed through Disaster Response Services cleanup and rebuilding projects when you sign up to receive our free newsletter. Each semiannual issue includes recipient stories, program statistics, and new program developments.
