Purpose

To provide help to victims of natural and man-made disasters, such as floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, and terrorist attacks in North America and overseas.

Affiliation:

Southern Baptist Disaster Relief is a ministry of the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Resources: 

More than 600 mobile units (feeding, chainsaw, mud-out, command, communication, child care, shower, laundry, water purification)
More than 30,000 trained volunteers, including chaplains

Partnerships:

American Red Cross
The Salvation Army
Mercy Medical Airlift
Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security
National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters
International Mission Board, Southern Baptist Convention

Organization:

Disaster relief units are owned and staffed by Southern Baptist churches, regional Baptist associations, and state Baptist conventions. Volunteer teams respond to disasters within their own state and work cooperatively with other states in larger emergencies. Teams also work overseas when the International Mission Board requests help. 

History: 

The first Southern Baptist Disaster Relief response can be traced to 1967 when a small group of Texas volunteers helped victims of Hurricane Beulah by serving hot food cooked on small "buddy burners."  In 2004, Southern Baptist volunteers responded to 193 named disasters, prepared 3,500,596 meals, repaired 2,683 homes, and removed debris from 10,704 yards. All assistance is provided to individuals and communities free of charge.