Lutheran Disaster Response

This Memorial Day, Lutheran Disaster Response gives thanks for the brave women and men who laid down their lives in service to others.

As people of faith, we are reminded of the call to love our neighbors and serve with compassion. We honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice by continuing this work walking alongside communities in times of disaster, bringing hope, healing, and Christ’s love where it’s needed most.

Today, we remember. We give thanks. And we commit ourselves to serving in ways that reflect their legacy of selfless service.

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” — John 15:13

Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry has released a statement on the shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego.

“As the ELCA, we must speak plainly: violence rooted in hatred is sin. We condemn Islamophobia and acknowledge its rise in recent years. Our church affirms that “anti-Muslim hatred is antithetical to our Christian faith” (A Declaration of the ELCA to the Muslim Community), for we are called to love our neighbor in ways that cast out fear (1 John 4:18).”

Read the full statement through the link in the comments below.

This past week, we had the privilege of partnering with LDR Carolinas to host a Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual Care (MESS) Basic in collaboration with MESS Ministries.

MESS Basic is a disaster response training designed for clergy, lay leaders, and community responders. Participants are equipped with practical skills to serve in both stabilizing roles (addressing immediate, short-term needs following a disaster) and support roles, providing ongoing care in the weeks, months, and even years after an event.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who participated and for their commitment to walking alongside their communities in times of crisis. Your dedication makes a lasting difference!

Across the globe, humanitarian needs continue to rise at an alarming rate. As of April 2026, millions of people are facing the compounded impacts of conflict, climate disasters, and economic instability. For communities already living on the margins, these overlapping crises, often called a “poly-crisis,” are stretching resilience to its limits.

At Lutheran Disaster Response, we are witnessing how these interconnected challenges are reshaping the humanitarian landscape and deepening the urgency of our shared response.

Read more via the link in our blog.

A World in Crisis: Responding to Overlapping Humanitarian Emergencies - Lutheran Disaster Response Humanitarian needs continue to rise at an alarming rate, and LDR is witnessing these challenges are reshaping the humanitarian landscape

Last week, Lutheran Disaster Response had the honor of attending the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (National VOAD) Conference alongside an incredible network of partners committed to serving communities before, during, and after disasters.

We are especially proud to have been a sponsor of this year’s gathering, an opportunity to support collaboration, share resources, strengthen relationships, and invest in the shared mission of compassionate, coordinated disaster response.

Opportunities like this reinforce that we can accomplish more together than any one organization can alone. Thank you to National VOAD for convening this vital space, and to all who are working every day to bring hope, healing, and support where it’s needed most.

We're thrilled to share that the Spring 2026 issue of LifeLines is now available.

LifeLines highlights how your support of Lutheran Disaster Response is making a difference for individuals, families, and communities across the United States and around the world. Be sure to explore the global impact map on pages 8-9, and LDR's financial highlights on page 13.

Follow the link below to read and download your copy:
https://cdn.elca.org/cdn/wp-content/uploads/WH_LifeLines_Spring_2026.pdf