1.5 million registered nonprofit organizations.
Lutheran Disaster Response
Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) within the Churchwide Organization has dedicated national and regional staff ready to support local congregations, synods and social ministry organizations in disaster work should the need arise, even if the local congregation or synod does not have any dedicated disaster staff.
LDR, as a part of the ELCA, supports local congregations and synods before, during and after disaster.
The staff at Lutheran Disaster Response:
- Build relationships around the region and nation.
- Become familiar with national and state laws, regulations and plans.
- Represent the national/regional organization in trainings, meetings and conferences.
At the local level, the most fundamental organizing structure that could be used by voluntary organizations is called a COAD, or Community Organizations Active in Disaster. Where they exist, COADs bring together local voluntary organizations before, during and after disasters to develop relationships with one another and with partners in local government emergency management. During blue-sky time, they may discuss disaster roles and resources that each member might contribute, train together and work through disaster scenarios for practice. And when disasters occur, they coordinate their efforts to reduce inefficiency, confusion and role conflict. To be clear, a COAD is not a service delivery organization; it is simply an organizational structure that bring such organizations together.
Unfortunately, COADs are difficult structures to sustain in blue-sky times. They require continued effort and time to recruit members and leaders, develop and host events, and maintain the organizational structure. Since most local voluntary organizations do not have dedicated disaster staff, there are not many individuals to do the work of supporting a COAD’s existence. Which is why we do not see many COADs in non-disaster times even though it would be ideal. However, where they do exist, they are playing a very important pre-disaster role.