On October 7, members of the NC Conference Disaster Ministries team met with representatives from Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA) at their offices in Alexandria, VA. IRUSA is one of our vital partners in the work of recovery in eastern North Carolina.
IRUSA is a large, multifaceted organization, working around the world to alleviate suffering and improve the lives of men, women, and children through a variety of initiatives. They are active in disaster and emergency relief, programs for women and children, feeding programs, and health and sanitation efforts.
One of their newest programs, titled “Virtue Reality,” is an interactive game based on real IRUSA projects from around the world. According to IRUSA’s website, the game is designed to help players “discover the reality behind saving and transforming lives and the impact you can make in some of the most vulnerable communities worldwide.”
Al Miller, Director of Disaster Ministries, and Ed Rutenkroger, Early Response Team Coordinator, met with members of IRUSA’s staff to discuss how Disaster Ministries can work with IRUSA’s disaster relief programs. Specifically, Disaster Ministries would work with IRUSA on developing training for case management and implementing a program similar to Connecting Neighbors. This work would be done in conjunction with UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief), one of our strategic partners.
We look forward to strengthening our relationship and partnership with Islamic Relief USA and give thanks for their work here in North Carolina and around the world. To find out more about IRUSA, visit their website. To see more about IRUSA and their work with Disaster Ministries, you can watch our anniversary video or you can read about them in the recent “Restoring Hope” publication