Disaster Response Volunteers Answer the Call

In the wake of devastating spring floods, scores of World Renew Disaster Response Services (DRS) volunteers are working or are preparing to work in cleaning up and rebuilding in Ontario, Alberta and Alaska.

Here is a brief look, provided by World Renew, at what these volunteers are doing.

Calgary, Alberta

In June 2013, southern Alberta received more than 200 mm (8 inches) of rain in less than 36 hours, affecting the Bow and Highwood River watersheds in the western portion of the province.

Many communities including Calgary were in the path of the flood waters.

Subsequently, a major clean-up effort involving a number of CRC churches and volunteers in Southern Alberta was begun and will continue for some time.

Central Ontario

Last spring, the residents of several communities in Central Ontario experienced the worst flooding in 125 years.

In early May, World Renew volunteers from Christian Reformed Church congregations in Ontario were in two of the hard-hit communities -- Huntsville and Bracebridge -- for two weeks to help year-round homeowners with clean-up.

In late August, World Renew DRS volunteers will begin to build a new home in north central Ontario, for homeowners whose house was so badly damaged in spring flooding there that it is beyond repair.

Galena, Alaska

An ice jam on the Yukon River near Galena, Alaska, caused severe flooding in May 2013. Nearly 150 homes were significantly damaged and 14 houses were totally destroyed in this small Alaska Native community.

World Renew DRS is working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency FEMA to assist the affected homeowners in Galena this summer to get them back in their houses before the Alaskan winter weather begins in late September.

World Renew asks for donations as it continues responding to these disasters.