Simplify and Improve Disaster Response Policies

Tell Congress that disaster response is a priority for people of faith

June 1 marks the start of hurricane and wildfire season in the United States. This season comes as many declared and undeclared federally recognized disasters have already displaced many in our communities – and as emergency coordinators are bracing for more natural disasters in the coming months.

Survivors and those of us who have been impacted by catastrophes understand that much more can be done. Access to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) benefits needs to be simplified. Additionally, more should be done to strengthen the resiliency of our neighborhoods to weather the intensity and frequency of disaster events and the costs associated with them.

Climate change dramatically increases impacts of extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, hurricanes, and wildfires, with huge losses of life and property, reduced agricultural yields, and costly disruptions to society. The ELCA social message “Earth’s Climate Crisis’” asks us to witness publicly to the climate crisis by becoming “anticipatory communities” that model climate resiliency, and we can do so.

Earlier this spring, Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV) and Congressman Garret Graves (R-LA) introduced the Disaster Survivors Fairness Act of 2023 in the House of Representatives. The bipartisan bill would make several major improvements to our public policies aimed at addressing natural disasters, including:

Creating a simplified “universal application” for federal disaster assistance and enabling federal agencies to better coordinate with each other
Authorizing FEMA to reimburse state-level disaster solutions, and require FEMA to report to Congress new post-disaster solutions for renters
Find additional improvements described in linked Disaster Survivors Fairness Act details.

Faith-based volunteers, houses of worship, and disaster response coordinators, such as ELCA Lutheran Disaster Response, are often on the front line of major disasters, serving those of us in the greatest need. As direct stakeholders active in disaster response, lawmakers are interested in hearing about our congregations’ experiences and perspectives on working with FEMA and our neighbors in times of need.

Offer a customized letter with your own story, disaster experience, or faith-based reflection to Congress today.

POSTED: 6/1/2023

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Dear [Decision Maker],

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As a Christian and your constituent, I urge you to support H.R.1796 - Disaster Survivors Fairness Act to better prepare our communities for natural disasters.

Churches and houses of worship like mine often partner with government agencies to help prepare communities for natural disasters, improve resiliency, and take steps to help our neighborhoods rebuild after major catastrophes strike. But as the United States and neighboring nations experience increased disaster frequency and intensity, I and members of my congregation recognize that our public policies must be more adaptive and responsive to the challenges ahead.

Simplifying access to FEMA resources, better coordinating disaster response agencies, and offering new tools to mitigate the impacts of natural disasters will go a long way in better equipping our communities and will accompany the mission of our faith-based ministries active in these issues. I hope you can support swift passage of this bipartisan bill this year  and encourage your colleagues to do the same.

As people of faith, we are called to stand by our neighbors in times of disaster and trouble. I hope you can help ensure that our response as a nation is effective, and offers what communities need.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]