Sarah Mitchell
Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) is the official domestic relief agency of the Catholic Church in the United States. CCUSA provides critical support to communities affected by natural disasters, including hurricanes. In the wake of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria in 2017, Catholic dioceses contributed over $58 million to relief and recovery efforts. CCUSA distributed more than $13.5 million to nine Catholic Charities agencies in Texas and Louisiana, which were impacted by Hurricane Harvey. CCUSA also provided financial support and essential supplies to communities affected by Hurricane Helene in 2024, distributing over $4 million to relief agencies. CCUSA has a long history of assisting in the rapid mobilization of Catholic Charities agency staff across the US, providing immediate disaster relief, and long-term support to communities as they rebuild.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Organization | Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) |
| CCUSA's Role | Official domestic relief agency of the U.S. Catholic Church |
| CCUSA's Work | Providing critical support to devastated communities, before and after disaster strikes |
| CCUSA's Response Time | Rapid |
| CCUSA's Support | Financial, immediate disaster relief, long-term recovery support, humanitarian services, ongoing case management, disaster training for local staff and volunteers, shelter, meals, water, emergency funding, disaster aid application assistance, food pantries, childcare programs, meal deliveries, job training resources, temporary and permanent housing, mental health services |
| CCUSA's Hurricane Response | Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Helene, Hurricane Milton, Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Maria |
| CCUSA's Donations | $5.1 million to Catholic Charities agencies, $4 million for Hurricane Helene relief, $925,000 for Hurricane Milton relief, $2 million to 11 affected Catholic Charities agencies, $190,000 worth of in-kind donations, $1.9 million to states affected by Hurricane Helene |
| CCUSA's Supply Collection Points | Charlotte, Knoxville, Raleigh, Ocala, Florida |
| CCUSA's Supply Distribution | Solar lights, water, shovels, tents, trash bags, tarps, cleaning kits, hygiene kits, baby items, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, two-person tents, diapers, children’s activity kits, oral rehydration products, blankets, food, shelter, emergency funding |
| CCUSA's Partner Agencies | Catholic Charities Odessa, Catholic Charities of Acadiana, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, Catholic Charities of Sacramento, Catholic Charities of East Tennessee, Catholic Charities Diocese of St. Petersburg, Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Caritas Havana, British Red Cross, Caritas Antilles |
| CCUSA's Partner Locations | Maui, Texas, Louisiana, Cuba, British Virgin Islands, Acadiana (LA), Biloxi (MS), Ocala (FL), Raleigh, Wilmington (NC), Knoxville, Charlotte, Galveston, Baton Rouge, Florida, New Port Richey (Pasco County), Sarasota County |
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What You'll Learn
Catholic Charities USA's hurricane response
Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) is the official domestic relief agency of the US Catholic Church. It provides critical support to devastated communities, both before and after disasters strike. CCUSA's Disaster Response Team and local member agency staff mobilize quickly, responding with aid on-site, including shelter, meals, water, emergency funding, and disaster aid application assistance. They also follow through during recovery to help rebuild lives and restore hope.
CCUSA works year-round with agencies in impacted communities to coordinate trained disaster response teams and provide life-saving aid and knowledge. The annual Applied Institute for Disaster Excellence (AIDE) prepares Catholic Charities network and diocesan staff to successfully engage in disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. AIDE is an opportunity to learn from experts before the next disaster hits. CCUSA also has a Mobile Response Center that serves survivors of hurricanes, floods, and COVID-19. It can carry essential supplies like bottled water, hygiene products, diapers, cleaning supplies, sleeping bags, and more.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in 2024, CCUSA distributed $1.9 million to Catholic Charities agencies in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee. They also sent over 2,100 solar lights to the Catholic Charities Diocese of St. Petersburg. CCUSA's Disaster Operations and Development teams worked with partner agencies and donors to provide and ship in-kind donations to affected agencies across the Southeast. Catholic Charities agencies throughout the Southeast continue to respond to the needs of hurricane survivors, providing ongoing support.
In 2025, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh responded to Hurricane Florence, which devastated much of its service area. Staff and volunteers distributed donated supplies such as food and water, cleaning supplies, and diapers to over 11,000 individuals. They then began working on long-term recovery goals, helping families move into safe and stable housing. The NC Catholics Volunteers Program provided opportunities for individuals to contribute to recovery efforts by making repairs and building new homes.
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CCUSA's disaster relief funding
CCUSAs disaster relief funding involves providing critical support to devastated communities, both before and after a disaster. CCUSA is the official domestic relief agency of the U.S. Catholic Church. It provides immediate disaster relief with necessities such as water, food, shelter, and emergency funding. CCUSA also assists in the rapid mobilization of Catholic Charities agency staff across the U.S. and provides critical, long-term support to communities as they rebuild.
CCUSA disburses disaster funds and grants to agencies to aid their crisis responses. For example, CCUSA provided $1.9 million after a night of deadly tornadoes and more than $6 million and 75 grants for an entire year. In another instance, CCUSA distributed more than $2 million in donations to 11 affected Catholic Charities agencies. CCUSA also works with partner agencies and donors to supply in-kind donations to affected communities, including pallets of tarps, water, cleaning kits, hygiene kits, baby items, and sleeping bags.
CCUSA's disaster response efforts also include the deployment of disaster experts, technical assistance, and direct support; execution of disaster response plans; coordination of in-kind donations; and distribution of basic necessities. CCUSA's Disaster Operations and Development teams work with partner agencies and donors to provide and ship in-kind donations to affected agencies. CCUSA also has a Mobile Response Center that serves survivors of hurricanes, floods, and COVID-19. The center provides supplies such as bottled water, hygiene products, diapers, cleaning supplies, and sleeping bags.
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Catholic donations to Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina struck the southeastern United States in late August 2005, causing widespread destruction and killing approximately 1,800 people. In the aftermath of the hurricane, Catholic Charities USA, the Catholic Church's volunteer arm, sprang into action, providing much-needed assistance to those affected.
Catholic Charities USA played a crucial role in the relief efforts, disbursing $58 million of the $142 million it collected to 76 Catholic Charities agencies and other organizations across 29 states. The money was used for various purposes, including counseling, job placement, and housing. The organization also provided direct assistance through its agencies, such as the Catholic Charities of New Orleans, which served more than 61,000 people, and Catholic Charities Idaho, which funded the shipment of emergency supplies, food, water, and other essential items.
In total, Catholic Charities USA allocated more than $69 million to support the recovery efforts of local agencies, with the goal of helping families and individuals affected by the hurricane get back on their feet. This funding was part of the organization's record-breaking $154 million raised for its largest disaster response effort in history. The money was distributed to Catholic Charities agencies and other Catholic organizations across the nation, demonstrating the Catholic Church's commitment to helping those in need.
The Catholic Church's response to Hurricane Katrina extended beyond financial donations. The Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, affiliated with the Catholic Church, mobilized hundreds of units across the US to provide practical assistance. They set up massive feeding units, shower and laundry facilities, and deployed assessment teams, debris removal teams, and chainsaw units to help clear the devastation left by the hurricane. The Catholic Church's volunteer service arm, UMVIM, deployed over thirty thousand United Methodist volunteers to the affected areas, offering a helping hand to those in need.
The outpouring of support from the Catholic Church and its various charities and relief organizations made a significant impact in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Their efforts provided immediate assistance to those affected and contributed to the long-term recovery of the communities devastated by the hurricane. The Church's response demonstrated its commitment to helping those in need and offering hope and support during a time of crisis.
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Catholic Charities agencies in the Southeast
Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) is the official domestic relief agency of the U.S. Catholic Church. It supports a national network of agencies that provide humanitarian support and long-term aid to communities affected by natural and human-made disasters. CCUSA provides critical assistance to Catholic Charities agencies and the communities they serve through disaster experts, technical assistance, direct support, disaster response plans, and coordination of in-kind donations.
In the Southeast, CCUSA has provided over $5.1 million to Catholic Charities agencies in response to Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. More than $4 million was distributed to 10 agencies providing Hurricane Helene relief, and over $925,000 was given to three agencies providing Hurricane Milton relief. CCUSA also worked with partner agencies and donors to provide and ship in-kind donations to affected agencies in the region.
CCUSA's Disaster Operations and Development teams have coordinated with partner agencies and donors to supply in-kind donations to affected communities. This includes essential items such as tarps, water, cleaning kits, hygiene kits, baby items, sleeping bags, and two-person tents. Catholic Charities locations in Acadiana (LA), Biloxi (MS), Ocala (FL), Raleigh (NC), and Wilmington (NC) have served as hub locations for disaster response efforts.
The Catholic Charities network is committed to providing immediate and direct relief and staying for the long term, even when national attention shifts away from disasters. They work year-round to coordinate trained disaster response teams and provide life-saving aid and support to communities in need.
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CCUSA's hurricane recovery efforts
CCUSAs hurricane recovery efforts have been significant in providing relief to communities affected by hurricanes. As the official domestic relief agency of the Catholic Church in the United States, CCUSA has a vital role in offering immediate and long-term support to those in need.
In response to the destruction caused by the 2017 hurricanes (Harvey, Irma, and Maria) and the Mexico earthquakes, Catholic dioceses contributed over $58.7 million to relief and recovery efforts. CCUSA received a significant portion of these funds, with 50% of Hurricane Harvey donations, 30% of Hurricane Irma donations, and 55% of Hurricane Maria donations. The money was used to provide immediate necessities such as food, clean water, hygiene products, and shelter, as well as long-term disaster recovery. For example, CCUSA distributed $13.5 million to nine Catholic Charities agencies in Texas and Louisiana after Hurricane Harvey.
CCUSA also played a crucial role in responding to Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton in 2024. They distributed $5.1 million to Catholic Charities agencies, with over $4 million going towards Hurricane Helene relief and $925,000 towards Hurricane Milton relief. CCUSA worked with partner agencies and donors to provide in-kind donations, such as water, cleaning kits, hygiene kits, sleeping bags, and tents, to affected communities. They also provided disaster experts, technical assistance, and executed disaster response plans to help those impacted by the hurricanes.
In addition to financial support, CCUSA has a long history of assisting in the rapid mobilization of Catholic Charities agency staff across the country. They provide ongoing support to communities as they rebuild, ensuring their presence even when national attention wanes. CCUSA also offers disaster training for local staff and volunteers, building their capacity to respond to future disasters effectively. The Mobile Response Center is another vital aspect of CCUSA's hurricane recovery efforts, providing essential supplies and services such as bottled water, hygiene products, diapers, and external power stations for charging electronic devices.
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Frequently asked questions
Catholic Charities USA disbursed $58 million of the $142 million it collected for relief efforts.
Catholic Charities USA distributed \$5.1 million to Catholic Charities agencies, with more than $4 million going to 10 agencies providing Hurricane Helene relief. CCUSA has also distributed more than $1.9 million in donations to 11 affected Catholic Charities agencies.
Catholic Charities USA distributed $5.1 million to Catholic Charities agencies, with more than $925,000 going to three agencies providing Hurricane Milton relief.
Catholics across the United States contributed nearly $59 million to relief and recovery efforts.
Catholic Charities USA has disbursed millions of dollars in donations to affected Catholic Charities agencies. They have also provided in-kind donations of nearly $8 million in another year.
