You can make a difference in lives devastated by natural disasters.

As Buckner International continues to respond to disasters on multiple fronts, Buckner President and CEO Albert Reyes asked supporters to “pray for those families and children affected and continue to help our ongoing relief and response efforts in the United States and the Dominican Republic – as well as respond to new relief challenges from recent earthquakes in Mexico.”

He said several “recent natural disasters have severely impacted Buckner ministries, families and children directly served by Buckner and communities where we minister and we have a mandate to shine hope into those lives affected.”

Arnie Adkison, Buckner vice president and Chief Development Officer, said continued support is vital to Buckner relief efforts. “We are continuing to monitor the impact of the natural disasters currently affecting our staff and clients. Supporters can make a gift to our humanitarian aid work and, as we assess ongoing impact in Mexico, in the Dominican Republic, and here in Southeast Texas, your gift will help our humanitarian aid team serve families in crisis in these and other Buckner locations.”

In late August, Buckner ministries in the Houston and Beaumont areas were impacted by rains and flooding from Hurricane Harvey, prompting Buckner to evacuate foster families and residents of the Buckner Assessment Center to Camp Buckner in the Texas Hill Country. Buckner Retirement Services sheltered residents of its Parkway Place senior living community in Houston and Calder Woods in Beaumont in place during the storm.

On Sept. 7, Hurricane Irma swept through the Dominican Republic, causing countrywide damage and initiating a humanitarian relief through the Buckner NGO Buckner Dominicana. On the same day, an 8.1 magnitude earthquake hit the Mexican cities of Oaxaca and Chiapas. Yesterday, Mexico City was hit with a 7. 1 magnitude earthquake, with a current estimate of 216 killed and many more injured or missing. Buckner Mexico is again responding with food and water aid.

The cumulative affect of the disasters has been “overwhelming,” said Dexton Shores, Buckner senior executive director for Latin America. “Responding to the natural disasters in our Latin American countries has recently been quite overwhelming, but the collaborative efforts between countries and our alliance partners has been incredible to provide direct aid to victims of the earthquakes and hurricanes.”

Buckner provided 3 tons of food with MannaPacks (food packages) in collaboration with CBN in Chiapas and collaborated with multiple partners to send aid to Oaxaca where our staff and volunteers participated in direct aid to victims.

“It’s been a challenging month,” Reyes said, ”but we know God has put Buckner in the right places to shine hope to these hurting areas.”