World Vision Tornado Relief: Organization in Rebuild and Recovery Mode

By Justin Sarachik, Christian Post Reporter Tuesday, June 04, 2013

World Vision is looking to do more for the tornado victims of Moore, Oklahoma and parts of Missouri.

The organization is increasing its staff size and sending out more responders, but because of the extra labor force, World Vision needs extra supplies and more help.

"While we don't yet know the extent of the damage and need, we're heading into the affected area with tarps, buckets of clean-up supplies, water, and personal hygiene kits. And we'll shuttle more supplies from the two response centers we have set up in Moore," Phyllis Freeman, World Vision's director of domestic disaster response, said in a release.

Last Friday, World Vision was moving into the recovery and rebuilding stages of their program with materials scheduled for arrival that day. However, matters were complicated when yet another storm blew through, sending more twisters into the Midwest.

Before Moore, Joplin, Missouri was one of the worst hit places aided by World Vision. Joplin was hit by one of the U.S.'s most deadly tornados ever.

"In communities like Joplin and Moore, we have worked side by side with local churches. We've watched people start to rebuild their lives. It's just devastating to know that as we return this time, some of those areas will be back to square one, forcing people to start over yet again," Freeman said in a released statement.

In 2012 alone, World Vision's Domestic Disaster Response team provided assistance for over 47,000 people, and over 30,000 children.

In addition to the tornados, World Vision has continued to help in the cleanup process for Hurricane Sandy in both New York and New Jersey.

World Vision puts helping those in need as a top priority. "World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender," the organizations website states.