Nazarene Disaster Response
About NDR ...
Nazarene Disaster Response (NDR) is a national network of disaster
volunteers—assisted by trained district, regional and national leaders—who cooperate
with other national, state, and local agencies (i.e., American Red Cross, FEMA, NVOAD,
and EOCs) to respond to victims of natural and human-made disaster. NDR is a member of
the National Volunteer Agencies Active in Disaster (NVOAD) and partners with the American
Red Cross (ARC).
The NDR Vision
NDR’s vision is based on the belief that the visible presence of the Church of the
Nazarene is essential in any type of disaster situation. As part of the church’s
ministry, NDR strives to work through local churches to provide spiritual, physical,
and emotional support to those in trauma, grief, and in need. If the church is going
to be a truly effective support center in our neighborhoods and communities, it must
respond to the needs of people. NDR can help.
The Three Levels of NDR Response
- Financial Support Only - At this level,
NDR identifies the disaster site as a “Missions Special.” There is no determined
need for direct NDR supervision or outside volunteers.
- NDR Local Committee Supervision - After declaring a disaster
site a “Missions Special,” the national, regional, and district directors work
with the local leaders to organize a local NDR committee to coordinate the
project, including the use of funds and volunteers.
- NDR Staff Supervision - At this highest level
(major disaster), the project is directed by an on-site NDR representative
(full or part-time) appointed by the field director and is responsible for
the management of disaster activities, volunteers, and resources.
National Network
The NDR network is composed of district and regional directors, a national
field director, and a national administrative director. Eight regional
directors are responsible for the continental U.S. They are trained to deal
with the unique stresses involved in relief efforts, and disaster situations
prone to their region.
Rather than wait for a catastrophe, the NDR network is at work all year
long planning and preparing for disaster situations. Regional directors have
developed action plans enabling them to coordinate planning and preparedness
activities with local and state emergency management and with other volunteer
agencies, such as NVOAD. They have also developed a volunteer base and
knowledge of potential state and community resources which are available
during times of disaster, as well as a notification strategy to alert
important local, state, national person(s) and groups of potential need.
Comments about NDR
- “NDR is an effective means of ministering in
the name of Jesus to people with personal needs in the time of disaster.
It is worthy of our fullest support.”
—John Knight, general superintendent, Church of the Nazarene
- “Though the whole city was in pain and emotional scars ran deep, you
were there helping us find hope for the future through crisis counseling.”
—Oklahoma City Bombing Disaster
- “We never thought our house would look like a home again. After NDR volunteers
came and helped clean up our neighborhood, it gave us the lift we so desperately needed.”
—Midwest Flood Victim
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