Disaster Preparedness and Response

The effects of global warming threaten to only increase the scope, scale and number of disasters worldwide. CAC Disaster Ministries is a program of the United Church of Christ that responds to natural and human caused disasters all over world and is well positioned to respond in most events.

Have a Plan

Is your church prepared to withstand a natural disaster and to help your congregation and community in the aftermath?  Do you want to be prepared but don’t know where to start?

Being ready just got easier, thanks to the new “A Disaster Preparedness Manual for Churches” from UCC Disaster Ministries and the Insurance Board, a property and liability insurance program for the UCC and other churches.

Tailored for use by houses of worship of any denomination or faith, the concise, easy-to-use 24-page manual is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare your building and congregation for a disaster and to serve your wider community when one occurs. The manual assembles exactly what congregations need to know, and do, in one PDF document.

If Your Community is Affected by a Disaster:

A MARC (a Multi-Agency Response Center) will be established in your area. Even if you think you will have insurance and other resources to cover all your losses, it is important to register with the MARC. It is VERY IMPORTANT to take these steps in the correct order, otherwise, you may cause yourself to be ineligible for some programs.

Business owners, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters may be eligible for low-interest disaster loans or for qualified homeowners and renters, disaster grants help pay for basic repairs to make a home habitable, temporary rental assistance, and serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other sources from the U.S. Small Business Administration to help recover from losses not covered by insurance, grants or other sources. SBA’s Customer Service Center : 800-659-2955 or 800-877-8339 – TTY or email.