Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA)

PDA enables congregations and mission partners of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) to witness to the healing love of Christ through caring for communities adversely affected by crisis and catastrophic events.  Focuses on the long term recovery of disaster impacted communities.

Who we are

We recognize that the task before us is to bring God’s intended wholeness to disaster survivors in order that they may be strengthened and encouraged for the task of rebuilding their communities and livelihoods.  Many people and organizations come and go during the course of disaster response and recovery, but it is the local church that can become the enduring witness and reminder that love and support was found, help given, and wounds bound up. Therefore, we commit ourselves to equip Presbyterians worldwide to effectively and efficiently serve disaster survivors in Christ’s name so that out of the chaos of disaster they will find hope.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance enables congregations and mission partners of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) to witness to the healing love of Christ through caring for communities adversely affected by crisis and catastrophic events.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is the emergency and refugee program of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. The core budget, including staff and administrative costs, is funded through the One Great Hour of Sharing, and its program work is additionally funded through designated gifts.

What PDA Does

• Focuses on the long term recovery of disaster impacted communities.
• Provides training and disaster preparedness for presbyteries and synods.
• Works collaboratively with church partners and members of the ACT Alliance (Action by Churches Together) internationally, and nationally with other faith based responders.
• Connects partners locally and internationally with key organizations active in the response — United Nations, NVOAD (National Voluntary Agencies Active in Disaster), World Food Program, Red Cross, FEMA and others.
• Manages a number of specialized volunteer teams to work nationally and internationally providing consultation, program design and training.
• Cooperates with Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services in providing service structure for asylum seekers in the United States.
• Cooperates with Church World Service in the resettlement of refugees to the United States.