In response to catastrophic flooding triggered by the remnants of Typhoon Halong, the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) has launched an emergency relief initiative to support thousands affected across Alaska’s western coast. The disaster has devastated dozens of remote communities, leaving over 2,000 people homeless. Particularly hard-hit are the Yup’ik villages of Quinhagak and Kipnuk in the Yukon–Kuskokwim Delta, where homes, runways, and power lines have been destroyed.

The Diocese of Alaska has swiftly mobilized both spiritual and material support. According to the diocesan press service, all parishes have begun collecting food, clothing, and essential supplies. A dedicated relief fund has also been established on the diocese’s official website to receive monetary donations.

“This is a sacred moment to be the Church,” said Bishop Alexei in his Sunday message to the faithful. “Through sacrificial love, may we become instruments of God’s mercy for those in despair.”

On October 19, following Divine Liturgy and the feast of the Apostle Thomas, clergy from Wasilla, South Anchorage, and Kenai gathered at St. Innocent Cathedral in Anchorage to coordinate aid. As a result, priests began daily ministry at the evacuation center in the Alaska Airlines Center on October 20, offering prayer, icons, and spiritual counseling.

In a show of community solidarity, the cathedral will host a traditional Alaskan food evening on October 24 to collect supplies for families who lost winter provisions. Many had stored food hunted, fished, or gathered from the tundra — a severe blow to the indigenous population whose subsistence lifestyle depends on seasonal resources.

The scale of devastation has prompted Alaska’s Governor Mike Dunleavy to request a federal disaster declaration. “Kipnuk looks like a blast zone,” he told ABC News. “This is a true catastrophe. Some homes were carried miles inland.”

Evacuation efforts remain complicated by the region’s remoteness and damage to infrastructure. In many villages, airstrips are unusable or roads have been completely washed away. Residents are being evacuated by helicopter and military C-17 transport aircraft. Emergency crews and volunteers are delivering food, warm clothing, and critical supplies.

Notably, prayers for the victims are being offered in solidarity by visiting hierarch Metropolitan Maksimilian of Irkutsk from the Russian Orthodox Church, who happened to be on pilgrimage in Alaska during the disaster. During Sunday liturgy, he commended the resilience of the Alaskan people and assured them of continued spiritual support.

Authorities warn that some evacuees may not be able to return home for up to 18 months, raising urgent concerns about long-term housing and rebuilding efforts. The Orthodox Church has vowed to remain present for the duration of the crisis, standing with those most affected.