Faith-based humanitarian groups have begun sending human resources and supplies down south to rebuild the states and cities damaged by Hurricane Ida.
When Hurricane Ida hit the coast, it was a Category 4 hurricane and considered a sister hurricane to 2005's Katrina. As of Tuesday, three deaths have been reported and millions are without power. This natural disaster has already drawn several organizations out to provide for the short-term needs of the state. World Vision, a Christian humanitarian organization, is preparing to send four truckloads of supplies to the state, each of which will serve around 2,000 people. Convoy of Hope, a faith-based disaster relief organization, has also loaded up approximately 19 tractor-trailers that arrived in Shreveport, Louisiana, within hours of the storm's end.
"It was a major catastrophic storm, and many people are trapped in broken up and damaged infrastructure everywhere," Ethan Forhetz, the vice president of public engagement for Convoy of Hope, told the Christian Post. "It's heartbreaking. When you are part of Convoy of Hope efforts, oftentimes, you see people on the worst day of their lives, in a helpless and hopeless state. And you realize how important little things are, such as food and water."
Like Texas Baptist Men, a volunteer-led church initiative, other local organizations are sending manpower into the danger zone, hoping to provide their talents and gifts to those in need.
Texas Baptist Men director John-Travis Smith told NBCDFW 5 that "It's just incredible to see people bring their talents that they've had in the workforce, whatever it may be, and they bring that to help us. It makes a huge impact; just the heart of Texans and believers, especially, they want to come and help out. It makes our job really easy just to help guide where we need them."
