Christian Service

Christian Disaster Relief

When flood, fire, storm, or earthquake strikes, Christian disaster relief teams are often among the first to arrive and the last to leave. If you have been affected, help is available now. If you want to help others recover, giving wisely matters as much as giving generously. We bear one another’s burdens.

If a disaster has affected you

Find help near you now

If you have lost your home or basic needs in a disaster, help is available. In the United States, start here, and contact the American Red Cross or FEMA (DisasterAssistance.gov) for disaster-specific aid.

• Dial 211 or visit 211.org. Run by United Way, 211 connects you to local food, housing, rent, utility, and other assistance. It is free and available across most of the United States, day and night.
• findhelp.org. A free search for local aid by ZIP code, food, housing, money, clothing, health, and more.

See more free ways to find help near you, gathered in one place.

If you are in immediate danger, call 911. Local churches and relief teams often provide meals, cleanup, shelter, and supplies in the days after a disaster.

How Christian disaster relief works

Christian disaster relief mobilizes trained volunteers and supplies to help communities survive and rebuild, mucking out flooded homes, clearing debris, cooking meals, and staying long after the news cameras leave. The work is a plain enactment of a plain command.

Well-known Christian disaster relief organizations include:

• Samaritan's Purse. Deploys disaster relief teams and volunteers to rebuild homes and provide emergency aid after storms, floods, and fires.
• Convoy of Hope. Known for rapid, large-scale disaster response and distribution of food and supplies.
• The Salvation Army. Provides mobile kitchens, emergency shelter, and long-term recovery support in disasters.
• Southern Baptist Disaster Relief. One of the largest volunteer disaster-response networks in the United States, providing meals, cleanup, and rebuilding.

These organizations are named for information only. Details are accurate to the best of our knowledge, but they may change; please confirm on each group’s own website. Being listed here is not an endorsement, and none of these organizations are affiliated with The Living Bread.

The best way to give

After a disaster, financial gifts to established organizations do far more good than sending goods, because relief teams can buy exactly what is needed nearby and put it to work at once. Give to groups already on the ground, and consider trained volunteering if you can go.

Frequently asked questions

I was affected by a disaster. Where do I get help?

Dial 211 or search findhelp.org for local help, and contact the American Red Cross or FEMA at DisasterAssistance.gov for disaster-specific aid. Local churches and relief teams often provide meals, shelter, and cleanup. Call 911 if you are in immediate danger.

What Christian organizations respond to disasters?

Samaritan's Purse, Convoy of Hope, The Salvation Army, and Southern Baptist Disaster Relief are well-known responders. They are described factually here and are not affiliated with The Living Bread.

What is the best way to help after a disaster?

Give money to established relief organizations already working in the affected area rather than shipping goods. Cash lets them buy exactly what is needed locally, which is faster and reduces waste. Trained volunteering also helps.