World Vision to expand response as another round of deadly weather hits Midwest

Highlights

  • Moving into affected areas with tarps, clean-up supplies, hygiene kits.
  • Organization will assess conditions in Joplin, MO, site of the deadly 2011 tornado.
  • Seeking additional supplies to help those in need.

Moore, OK (June 1, 2013) — World Vision is rushing to help those in need after areas of Oklahoma and Missouri were hit by another round of deadly tornadoes Friday evening. The storms come less than two weeks after an EF5 tornado flattened areas of Oklahoma and shattered lives. In this latest round, nine people in Oklahoma are believed to be dead and authorities are still trying to determine the extent of the damage.

World Vision staff in the domestic disaster response headquarters are moving quickly to expand the organization’s initial tornado response beyond its earlier scope in Moore, Shawnee, and Noble, Okla., and Granbury, Texas. As part of the expansion, World Vision will be seeking additional supplies to help those in need. “While we don’t yet know the extent of the damage and need, we’re heading into the affected area with tarps, buckets of clean-up supplies, water, and personal hygiene kits. And we’ll shuttle more supplies from the two response centers we have set up in Moore,” said Phyllis Freeman, World Vision’s director of domestic disaster response. On Friday, Freeman announced the tornado response was moving into the recovery and rebuilding phases, with building supplies scheduled for delivery. Those plans have been complicated while the staff provide for the initial needs of survivors from Friday evening’s storms.

The organization is also planning to assess communities in Joplin, Missouri, an area hit by one of the deadliest tornados in U.S. history in 2011. In the wake of that storm, World Vision partnered with Joplin churches and faith-based organizations, providing survivors with hygiene products, cleaning materials, toys, and blankets.

“In communities like Joplin and Moore, we have worked side by side with local churches. We’ve watched people start to rebuild their lives. It’s just devastating to know that as we return this time, some of those areas will be back to square one, forcing people to start over yet again,” Freeman said.

In 2012, World Vision’s Domestic Disaster Response team provided relief for more than 47,000 beneficiaries, including more than 30,000 children. This year, World Vision continues to assist the most vulnerable affected by Superstorm Sandy in New York and New Jersey and has provided relief and rebuilding supplies to those affected by tornado damage in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

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About World Vision:
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization conducting relief, development, and advocacy activities in its work with children, families, and their communities in nearly 100 countries to help them reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. For more information, please visit www.WorldVision.org/media-center/ or on Twitter @WorldVisionUSA.