Reaching out to help those in need no matter the circumstance, Churches of Scientology Disaster Response (CSDR) staff and volunteers have since the 1990s brought relief to those devastated by earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, bombings, shootings, and other disasters.
CSDR is a US-based nonprofit disaster response organization incorporated in Washington, DC with over 25 offices around the country helping to coordinate their local and regional responses with government agencies and nonprofits in the area. International responses outside the US are directed by Church members in that country under their own national name.
CSDR has been a member of the National VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) since 2006 and works closely with other disaster organizations to bring the needed relief and care to those who are affected.
The professionally trained CSDR teams are the coordination and liaison points between their disaster volunteers and FEMA, local government agencies, VOAD partners, churches, military, tribal disaster management and others providing services working to fulfill the immediate needs at a disaster site. Longer term assistance may be provided depending on the need and resources available.
In addition to addressing the physical needs following a disaster such as clean up, blue tarping, sheltering, serving food, and many other unmet needs, CSDR specializes in Spiritual Care, knowing that trauma, loss, upset, stress and confusion affect survivors and responders as well as care-givers in their ability to recover from and deal with the aftermath of disasters.
Continuing from their first major response following the 1994 Northridge, California Earthquake, CSDR staff and volunteers have responded to just about every major disaster including 9-11, Katrina, Sandy, Alabama tornadoes, Florida hurricanes, OK tornadoes, CA fires, North Carolina hurricanes, Northwest floods, and Texas hurricanes, to name a few.
CSDR and its Volunteer Ministers are proud to be team members working along side of other National VOAD member organizations during disaster times as well in between disasters at the national and state levels.