From the General Assembly Mission Council comes word that PDA had pre-positioned national response teams in Irene's  potential impact areas. Knowing where Irene was headed allowed responders to get in to those areas before storm damage could block entry.  Additionally, Harvey Howell, a member of PDA's National Response Team, has been working in the national offices of FEMA as it is responds to Irene.

PDA is not facilitating outside volunteers at this time.  Monetary donations are needed the most .  We can give directly to the disaster relief in the USA by phone at 1-800-872-3283 or by check to Presbyterian Church(USA); P O Box 643700; Pittsburgh, PA;  15264-3700. (Please include DR000015 on your checks to support Disaster Response in the USA).   A receipt will be sent to you when your check is processed.

This has been a record-breaking year for the National Response Team because one-fourth of the presbyteries in the PC(USA) have been affected by natural disasters this year.  Prayers are coveted for all who are affected by Irene and for the many people who are responding to their needs.

And least we forget, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance continues to provide relief support in the Somalia Famine, Horn of Africa drought in Mogadishu, Ongoing response to Japan tsunami and earthquake, North Dakota and other states ravaged by the spring storms, Alabama and neighboring states in Tornado Response, and the Haiti Earthquake, just to name a few. Any support you are able to offer will be put to use in the church's efforts toward Christian compassion.