In September, 14 New York State counties received a Presidential Declaration of Disaster as a result of significant damage caused by wind and flooding during the summer. John Scibilia met with FEMA officials and the NYS Community of Churches Executive Director this week to explore how the church and other voluntary disaster agencies might respond effectively to the human need caused by this disaster.

Dr. John J. Scibilia works on plans for upstate New York aid from his Manhattan office overlooking Ground Zero.

Most of the damage being reported is in counties with more than 13% of the population below the poverty line.  This is part of Appalachia.  With Federal and State programs being scaled back, recently coupled with the issue of poverty, there are many basic needs still not being met. House repairs, just to bring a house to a safe, sanitary and secure state, require  more resources than are available through these programs. One such person, a disabled veteran and single parent of three on a low fixed income, cannot come up with the funds or materials needed to get his family back into the house.  When the limited federal dollars now paying for temporary housing run out, homelessness may be a reality for this family.

National Lutheran Disaster Response has committed resources to LDRNY to cover travel and current organizing efforts. Contributions to LDRNY designated to assist in this disaster response are now being welcomed and encouraged so that additional funds can be offered to families in dire need. Current estimates indicate more than $100,000 not available through government programs will be needed to assist those who need repairs or a place to live. FEMA has already distributed more than $1M in assistance and is responding to human need as best as it can within the parameters of its  revised programs.

(Note:  LDRNY does not use designated 9/11 funds to respond to disasters other than 9/11 related.)

OEM Thanks LDRNY for Isabel Response
The Nassau County Office of Emergency Management has thanked John Scibilia and LDRNY for its outstanding assistance during the days leading up to Hurricane Isabel.  Commissioner Richard A. Rotanz writes: “The efforts of Lutheran Disaster Response provided valuable aid to our agency,  allowing us to perform our duties at a greater level. Without the coordination and collaboration of agencies like yours, the overall effort would have been more challenging and difficult. … Nassau County Office of Emergency Management is pleased to be partners with your agency and is proud to have you and your agency as a part of the humanitarian, disaster relief effort in Nassau County and Long Island as a whole. OEM looks forward to continuing to work closely together on this vital endeavor.”