The African Methodist Episcopal Church International Health Commission (AMEC IHC) participates in disaster preparedness and response. Through partnerships with FEMA, the American Red Cross, and your philanthropic support, the AMEC IHC facilitates disaster preparedness and response. The AMEC IHC has and will continue to collect and distribute supplies for those affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Hurricane Helene made landfall on September 26, ravaging the Southeastern United States. Experts estimate that flooding and winds from the storm caused more than 45 billion dollars of damage.1 Reverend Dr. Helen Jackson and St. Andrew AME Church of Jacksonville Beach, Florida, has demonstrated strength in the midst of the storm. Saint Andrew AME Church withstood the storm and is still standing! The church’s roof was damaged by wind and debris. Members of the community quickly banded together to make repairs to the roof and remove the fallen trees. Sunday service was held at St. James on October 6, 2024.
In North Carolina, many communities are in ruins. As of October 9, there are 91 reported deaths and hundreds reported missing.2 In Asheville, Rev. Douglas Bynum and St. James AME Church are safe and committed to service. Saint James AME Church withstood Hurricane Helene and has been acting as a distribution site. Reverend Bynum and St. James AME Church have collected and distributed bottled water, meal kits, baby food, feminine hygiene products, toiletries, and more. Reverend Bynum shares that their meal kits are lacking foods rich in protein. If you can assist in meeting the needs of those impacted by Hurricane Helene, please contact the AMEC IHC.
Many of our health professionals have taken it upon themselves to assist in recovery efforts, including but not limited to Dr. Jacques Days of South Carolina, who assists AME members in finding medical assistance. The Henry McNeal Turner Chaplain Association of the AME Church offers counseling services. CH (MAJ) A’Shellarien Addison is the point of contact to engage The Henry McNeal Turner Chaplain Association of the AME Church under the leadership of Bishop David Rwhynica Daniels Jr. They stand ready to provide individual and group counseling support. You can contact Dr. Addison via phone: 267-779-1475 and via email: drashellarien@gmail.com
St. Andrews and St. James are resilient and faithful. However, they need your support. Donations to the AMEC International Health Commission will support AME church storm relief efforts. You can donate any amount online at https://www.amechealth.org.
In addition to relief and support, Rev. G. Gay Sr. with Mt. Olive AME Church is the coordinator for disaster relief in Tampa, Florida. He can be contacted at 786-412-2334.
For more specific relief needs or concerns, please contact:
Ouida Collins, MD MPH
Medical Director
AMEC.International Health Commission
healthamec@gmail.com
For relief resources and financial assistance:
Zachary Jones
Intern, AMEC.Intl Health Commission
Sources
- Egan, Matt. “Property Damage from Hurricane Helene Could Cost Owners More than $47 Billion | CNN Business.” CNN, Cable News Network, 8 Oct. 2024, www.cnn.com/2024/10/07/business/property-damange-hurricane-helene-47-billion/index.html.
- Faguy, Ana, and Brandon Drenon. “Helene Is Deadliest Mainland US Hurricane since Katrina as Toll Hits 200.” BBC News, BBC, 4 Oct. 2024, www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1k70rnrp4xo.
- Reuters. “Over 97,000 US Customers Still without Power from Hurricane Helene | Reuters.” Reuters, 9 Oct. 2024, www.reuters.com/business/energy/over-160000-us-customers-without-power-hurricane-milton-approaches-2024-10-09/.
