LOUISVILLE (PNS) – Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) today, in conjunction with the Office of the Stated Clerk, issued a statement regarding reports the Trump Administration is considering reducing refugee admissions to 50,000 in 2018, the lowest level since passage of the Refugee Act of 1980. Calling on Presbyterians to contact their elected officials, the Rev. Dr. Laurie Kraus, coordinator of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, said, “Decisions to eliminate entire groups of people from resettlement consideration under the Administration’s current travel ban, coupled with an overall cut in refugee admissions will cause harm to those living in wait and those who might yet find a permanent solution to their displacement.” The Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson II, the Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) said the current refugee crisis was reason enough not to reduce admissions to the U.S. “Seeking safety and protection is a human right,” he said. “And we as people of … [Read more...]

(PNS) As rescue crews continue to dig for survivors in the latest earthquake in Mexico, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is connecting with ecumenical partners to support recovery efforts and assist in developing long-term response plans. Tuesday’s quake, which registered 7.1 on the Richter Scale, was the second to strike the region in less than two weeks, causing buildings and houses to collapse, killing or trapping hundreds. “We are able to respond through our ecumenical partnerships, so we will be sending $25,000 for earthquake response,” said the Rev. Dr. Laurie Kraus, PDA director. “PDA cherishes the opportunity to work through our ecumenical partners, but we also want to walk alongside Presbyterian partners in the region, especially when they express the desire to build their own capacity to help in these types of disasters.” On Wednesday, Kraus and other Presbyterian Mission Agency leaders met with representatives from the Mexican Communion of Reformed and Presbyterian … [Read more...]

(PNS) One of the hardest hit areas during Hurricane Irma was Immokalee, Florida, home to thousands of migrant farmworkers who pick the vegetables sold to restaurants and grocery chains across the country. The poor living conditions for the families went from bad to worse as high winds and flooding knocked out power, damaged homes and left many with little food. Peace River Presbytery operates a mission in the community (Mision Peniel). Volunteers and presbytery staff joined members of the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance National Response Team to visit with residents and assess needs, both short and long-term. “They were hoping and praying we would show up because they know Presbyterians are experienced in long-term recovery,” said Graham Hart, executive presbyter with Peace River Presbytery. “When we came in, there was a beehive of activity as people sorted clothing and started getting ready for the afternoon hot meal.” Hart says the community has four levels of need. The … [Read more...]