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Roadways collapsed under the force of torrential floodwaters, swallowing up vehicles and homes in a West Virginia mining town. Record rains have claimed at least 23 lives and left hundreds of families homeless. IOCC is in contact with local partners and Orthodox Church parishes to determine the most appropriate emergency response. photo: Kara Lofton/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Baltimore, MD (IOCC) — In the aftermath of record-breaking rains and destructive flooding in West Virginia that have left least 23 people dead and hundreds of families homeless from storm damage, International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) has been in contact with Orthodox Church parishes in the most impacted areas of West Virginia, and with local ecumenical partners to determine the best emergency response for families in distress. Members of the IOCC Emergency Response Network, known as Frontliners, living in the affected area have been called on for possible deployment as the needs emerge.
“We send our thoughts and prayers to those who have lost loved ones to the storm and to the families who have been affected by this disaster,” stated IOCC US Country Representative Daniel Christopulos. “IOCC is committed to working with our Orthodox Church community and local ecumenical partners to do our part in helping those impacted.”
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Assemble emergency kits. IOCC also anticipates the need for Emergency Clean-Up Buckets which are in low supply. For directions on how to assemble Emergency Clean-Up Buckets, please visit iocc.org/kits.
Make a donation. You can help the victims of disasters in the United States, like the West Virginia floods, by making a financial gift to the United States Emergency Response Fund. Your support will provide immediate relief as well as long-term support through emergency aid, recovery assistance and other support to help those in need. To make a gift, please visit iocc.org, call toll free at 1-877-803-IOCC (4622), or mail a check or money order payable to IOCC, P.O. Box 17398, Baltimore, MD 21297-0429.
ABOUT INTERNATIONAL ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHARITIES
IOCC is the official humanitarian aid agency of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America. Since its inception in 1992, IOCC has delivered $580 million in relief and development programs to families and communities in more than 50 countries. IOCC is a member of the ACT Alliance, a global coalition of churches and agencies engaged in development, humanitarian assistance and advocacy. To learn more about IOCC, please visit our website at iocc.org.
Media contact: Rada K. Tierney, IOCC Media Relations, 443-823-3489, rtierney@iocc.org.
