Disaster Response

We coordinate emergency and long-term responses in our Presbytery’s geography in partnership with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, local churches, and local disaster response agencies.  We create disaster response teams as needed. All are welcome.

Maui Fires 2023-current

Presbytery of the Pacific includes the state of Hawaii in our geography. In August of 2023, when the Maui fires devastated the Lahaina and Kula region of Maui, we began coordinating a response in partnership with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and Rev. Dr. Kimberly Fong, pastor of Po’okela Church in the Kula region. In early November, a delegation of Pacific Presbytery and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance leaders visited Maui. We are coordinating a long-term response, in cooperation with the Hawaii VOAD (Volunteers Organized and Active in Disaster). 

Pacific Presbytery in the News for Maui Response: 

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and Presbytery of the Pacific Respond to Deadly Fires on Maui (8/11/23)

Presbyterian Response to Maui Wildfires Continues (8/28/23)

Following wildfires, team from the PCUSA visits Hawaii (11/17/23)

DONATE to our Pastor’s Discretionary Fund for Emergency Unmet Needs in Maui

In response to the devastating fires on the island of Maui on August 8, 2023, the Mission Interpretation and Promotion Committee created a  “Pastor’s Discretionary Disaster Relief Fund”.100% of your donation goes DIRECTLY to those in need. There is absolutely no overhead. DONATE HERE.

History:

COVID Relief 2020

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Pacific Presbytery won a grant from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance to create a Pastor’s Discretionary Disaster Relief Fund in the Presbytery that provided emergency relief funds for vulnerable people in our churches and church neighborhoods.

Getty Fire 2019

In response to the Getty Fire in 2019 in Southern California, Pacific Presbytery partnered with Brentwood Presbyterian Church and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance to support vulnerable families with gift cards and emergency unmet need support. 

Woolsey Fire 2018

In response to the Woolsey Fire in 2018 in Southern California, Pacific Presbytery formed a Disaster Response Team to support pastors and churches whose members were directly affected. Pacific Presbytery partnered with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and dozens of government, faith and non-profit groups to coordinate a long-term recovery group called the Los Angeles Region Community Recovery Organization (LARCRO) that funded Disaster Case Managers (DCMs) to help individuals navigate and connect with benefits. LARCRO partnered with Habitat for Humanity to rebuild the low-income community of Seminole Springs. In 2019, volunteers from San Fernando and Pacific Presbyteries help restore and rebuild homes in Seminole Springs. LARCRO became a catalyst for the then-dormant Emergency Network for Los Angeles (ENLA), providing ongoing emergency disaster coordination for LA County.