ELCA Action Alert: Urge Congress to pass disaster aid supplemental

FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund nears depletion. Urge Congress to pass a disaster aid supplemental today.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is in dire need of replenishing its Disaster Relief Fund (DRF), which plays a vital role in providing assistance to communities affected by disasters of all kinds. This comes as many disasters, including wildfires in Maui and California, floods in Vermont and the Midwest, and the recent impact of Hurricane Idalia have nearly depleted federal disaster funds remaining for the fiscal year.

Legislators in Congress are currently considering a disaster supplemental bill, and it is imperative that we, as faith advocates, voice our support for this critical funding before the end of the fiscal year on September 30. The DRF is a lifeline for countless Americans who find themselves impacted by conventional and unconventional disasters, and ensures that communities can receive the assistance they require during life-changing adversity.

As Lutherans, we understand the importance of caring for our neighbors and standing by them in times of hardship. “Faith-based volunteers, houses of worship, and disaster response and recovery organizations, such as ELCA Lutheran Disaster Response, are often on the front line of major disasters serving those of us in the greatest need,” highlighted the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, ELCA presiding bishop, in an Aug. 18 letter to members of Congress, which continued by urging passage as soon as possible of an emergency appropriations package to fully replenish FEMA and the DRF. Sending this message is a way for us to embody the Christian principles of love and empathy for those who are suffering.

Please contact your elected representatives today and urge them to prioritize the replenishment of FEMA's DRF in any upcoming spending bill. This critical funding can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those of us facing significant hardships. Let's help ensure that FEMA has the resources it needs to continue its vital mission.

Offer a customized letter through ELCA Advocacy with your own story, disaster response experience, and/or faith-based reflection to Congress (example below).

Sample Letter

As a Christian and your constituent, I urge you to take immediate action to support the replenishment of FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) in an emergency supplemental as soon as possible. As people of faith, we are deeply committed to responding in times of disaster and know that federal disaster response is a key for our neighbors and communities. Disasters can strike at any moment, leaving communities devastated and vulnerable, and together we must respond with compassion, solidarity and justice.

Ministries from my church, such as Lutheran Disaster Response, are often on the ground supporting disaster impacted communities quickly and stay engaged in the recovery process for years. Disasters do not discriminate, affecting people of all backgrounds and circumstances, and as people of faith, we believe in caring for our neighbors in times of crisis. However, these ministries cannot support the work of disaster aid across the country alone.

FEMA's DRF plays a crucial role in assisting communities in the aftermath of disasters. By replenishing the DRF, you are not only ensuring that our nation is equipped to promptly respond, but you are also protecting the most vulnerable among us.

With the DRF nearing depletion, and other long-term mitigation programs already being siphoned to ensure FEMA Individual Assistance is continued, passage of this supplemental cannot wait. I urge you to support legislation that bolsters the DRF and strengthens our nation's ability to respond to disasters with compassion and efficiency.

Thank you for your service. I look forward to hearing back from you.