CHICAGO, IL (May 3, 2011) – Covenant World Relief (CWR) is providing immediate financial resources to help victims of tornadoes that ripped through Alabama and other southern states. The twisters killed more than 350 people and injured thousands, according to news reports.

Covenant World Relief also is working with the Southeast Conference and local Evangelical Covenant Church congregations to respond to the disaster. “If we receive requests for work groups or material donations, we will communicate those needs via our Facebook page or the CWR blog,” says Chrissy Palmerlee, department services manager.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said a record-breaking 312 tornadoes were recorded during a 24-hour period beginning at 8 a.m. (EDT) on April 27.

The storms devastated parts of seven states – the second deadliest day of tornado activity recorded in the United States. The largest death toll occurred on March 18, 1925, when 747 people were killed in storms that shredded parts of Missouri, Illinois and Indiana.

Click here to donate online to the CWR tornado relief effort.