Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) says they are closing all current projects and have cancelled future travel plans.

MDS announced today that they are asking project leaders to close all current projects and return home due to COVID-19 concerns. Those planning on travelling for MDS trips are being asked to stay home.

“It’s not a decision we ever expected to make,” executive director Kevin King says. “But given the rapidly changing situation with the virus, we needed to do it. The health and safety of our volunteers, and of the people in the communities where we are serving, is our top priority.”

To prevent the spread and infection of healthy people, MDS says they are removing their volunteers from their projects.

Marianna, Winter Haven, Panama City and Chipley, FL; Greenbrier, WV; Rio Grande, Wharton, Victoria and Coastal Bend, TX; Puerto Rico; Pollocksville, NC; the bridges project in West Virginia; Bennettsville and Burgaw, SC; and Ukiah, CA are all being closed.

The organization will continue operations once MDS deems it safe to do so.