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One year after Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused widespread damage across the southeastern US, International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) is marking a year of bringing hope to those affected through emergency response, recovery, and rebuilding efforts. As the needs of people in the region continue to be felt, IOCC’s support, ongoing into 2026, remains critical to getting these communities back on their feet.
One beneficiary, Ms. Pat, is a homeowner in eastern Tennessee whose house was badly damaged by flood waters from Hurricane Helene. “I had a small charcoal grill,” she says. “I started cooking whatever I had. When neighbors stopped by, I gave them whatever I had.” A few months after the storm, IOCC volunteers stopped by and offered their help to put a new floor in.
“The next thing I know,” says Ms. Pat, “flooring turned into helping me do more demo (demolition) work that I needed, helping me with plumbing issues to everything in the kitchen and dining room, as well as insulation.” IOCC also put her in touch with mold removal specialists, and a qualified volunteer rewired much of the house.
And Ms. Pat is not alone—since the start of the response, IOCC has completed muck-out and cleanup work on 37 homes and conducted 45 home repairs and rebuilds that are currently in various stages of completion. And in Tennessee, over 100 mattresses were provided to residents to replace those damaged or ruined in the storm. These projects have been carried out with the help of volunteers, IOCC staff members, local partnering organizations, and through the support of generous donors.
IOCC will continue its rebuilding work into 2026, prioritizing projects that support sustainable recovery and help families return to safe, stable housing. IOCC continues to coordinate with local partners and community groups to ensure that recovery resources are directed to where they are most needed, and no one who needs help is left behind.
International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) is the humanitarian relief and development agency of the Assembly of Canonical Bishops of the United States of America. Since its inception in 1992, IOCC has provided more than $858 million in humanitarian relief and sustainable development programs in over 60 countries worldwide. Today, IOCC applies its expertise in humanitarian response to natural and human-caused crises in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States, offering assistance based solely on need. Learn more at iocc.org and follow us @IOCCRelief on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
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