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Katrina/New Orleans Disaster Relief Aid

It appears the damage to New Orleans region is far worse than originally expected. As we did with the Tsunami, here are numerous resources that you may find helpful in keeping informed about the damage, and making donations to help survivors:

1) Relief Organizations

Americares
Known as the most efficient relief charity in the U.S. (and Non-denominational also)
88 Hamilton Avenue, Stamford, CT USA 06902
Toll Free: 1-800-486-HELP (4357) Phone: 01-203-658-9500

American Red Cross
1-800-HELP-NOW
800-435-7669
http://www.redcross.org/
(You can also donate via Amazon.com or the iTunes Music Store)

Salvation Army
1-800-SAL-ARMY
800-725-2769
http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/

see below for complete list of charities

2) News Coverage

Yahoo! FULL COVERAGE: Hurricanes & Tropical Storms
http://news.yahoo.com/fc/world/hurricanes_and_tropical_storms

Google Groups katrina relief aid
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&q=katrina+relief+aid&qt_s=Search

The KatrinaHelp Wiki relief page
http://katrinahelp.info/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

3) Weather Related Resources

National Hurricane Center
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

Actual Water Level Measurements, at New Orleans, LA
USGS 073802338 IWW @ I-510 Bridge (Paris Rd) http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv/?site_no=073802338

See this Google Map for location:
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Paris+Road,+New+Orleans,+LA+70129
&spn=0.217644,0.317677&hl=en

National Weather Service
http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov/iwin/ graphicsversion/bigmain.html

Hydrologic Information Center (river flooding)
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/oh/hic /index.html

4) Government Resources

Federal Emergency Management Agency
1-800-621-FEMA
http://www.fema.gov/

City of New Orleans
http://www.cityofno.com/portal.aspx

Louisiana Governor's Office
http://www.gov.state.la.us/

Mississippi Emergency Management
http://www.msema.org/

Louisiana Homeland Security
http://www.ohsep.louisiana.gov/

5) State Government Resources

Louisiana Emergency Road Closures
http://www.ohsep.louisiana.gov/evacinfo/rdclosureindex.htm

Mississippi Emergency Road Closures
http://www.gomdot.com/

Alabama Emergency Road Closures
http://www.dot.state.al.us/closures/

Florida Emergency Road Closures
http://www.floridadisaster.org/

New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau Update
http://www.neworleanscvb.com/static/index.cfm/action/group/
contentID/256/sectionID/1/subsectionID/0/

1) Relief Organizations (continued)

• American Red Cross
800-HELP NOW, 800-435-7669

• America's Second Harvest
800-344-8070

• AmeriCares
800-486-HELP

• Adventist Community Services
800-381-7171

• American Atheists

• B'nai B'rith International
888-388-4224

• Catholic Charities USA
800-919-9338

• Christian Reformed World Relief Committee
800-848-5818

• Church World Service
800-297-1516

• Convoy of Hope
417-823-8998

• Disaster Psychiatry Outreach
212-598-9995

• Episcopal Relief & Development
800-334-7626

• Feed the Children
800-525-7575

• Humane Society of the United States
888-259-5431

• Islamic Relief
818-238-9520

• ICNA Relief
718-658-7028

• Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
504-944-7445

• Lutheran Disaster Response
800-638-3522

• Mennonite Disaster Service
717-859-2210

• National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster

• Operation Blessing
800-436-6348

• Operation USA
800-678-7255

• Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
800-872-3283

• Salvation Army
800-SAL-ARMY or 800-725-2769

• Society of St. Vincent de Paul
314-576-3993

• Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Relief
800-462-8657, ext. 6440

• United Jewish Communities
877-277-2477

• United Methodist Committee on Relief
800-554-8583

• United Way
800-272-4630

Wednesday, August 31, 2005 | 07:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (69) | TrackBack (3)
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Comments

Wow, I have been watching CNN today and I cannot believe how bad the USA is handling the disaster.
Only today the president got the brilliant idea to sent some ships? Wayyy too late. Yesterday we saw people lute in the shops and today reports that the police is out of bullets... why wasnt the army standing by? Both for relief aid and to prevent luting.

Posted by: Thijs | Aug 31, 2005 6:58:06 PM

In this time of natural disaster why do citizens "Americans" like you have to blame our USA/president for everything? President Bush ordered 8 US Navy ships that have supplies, including helicopters, issued fuel wavers, sent the Coast Guard, Army Corps of Engineers, etc. You do not have your facts accurate. Be grateful that you do not live in a 3rd World country that relies on foreign aid. Please take the time to thank GOD...

Posted by: JBAMBINO | Sep 1, 2005 4:23:58 PM

Thanks, Barry. I used it myself. And, last night, i printed out the list and made it available at the Phoenix Symphony Guild meeting.
I called Red Cross for the mailing address in Washington DC. Just that easy.

Posted by: Larry Nusbaum, Scottsdale | Sep 1, 2005 7:47:57 PM

Last night we were talking with our four year old about what she can do for Katrina survivors. Its got me thinking beyond our Red Cross donation. For what its worth -- I've picked this site to list a few ideas for the taking (and I'm contacting some of the possible corporate do-gooders too but these are unsolicited ideas...)

A fast food chain could have a Cajun Chicken sandwich with proceeds to relief efforts
Credit card rewards programs could offer donate your points for aid
Grocery chains could offer donate your points for food aid
Remember the Jerry Lewis do-it at home telethon carnival of the 70's -- what about a kit for Mardi Gras themed Halloween party with donation/fundraising aspect and proceedes to relief effort?
Sports -- NFL since stadiums being used -- could also give portions of ticket sales or run other promotion
Where's the Hollywood telethon?

Anyway, these are the top of mind ideas. For what its worth...

Posted by: Colleen Brady | Sep 2, 2005 9:00:10 AM

I'm matching contributions (up to $2,000 total at this point but it's likely to go higher). See details at:

http://www.freemoneyfinance.com/2005/09/hurricane_katri.html

Posted by: FMF | Sep 2, 2005 10:28:45 AM

Is there anyone who can tell me how to go about driving a truck load of supplies to new orleand where should i go or who should i call?

dkr1974@yahoo.com or
678-760-5082

Posted by: David Richmond | Sep 2, 2005 10:50:27 AM

Instead of complaining that the goverment isn't doing enough WHY DON'T YOU HELP PEOPLE WERE TOLD TO LEAVE I FEEL BAD FOR THOSE WHO CAN'T
THIS IS A NATURAL DISASTER GODS WRATH CAN'T BE FIXED IN A MINUTE BY THE GOVERMENT SORRY! GET A CLUE QUIT WATCHING THE LIBERAL MEDIA THAT ONLY LOOKS FOR BAD STORIES!!!! DEMOCRATS ALWAYS COMPLAIN REPUBLICANS LOOK FOR SOLUTIONS!!!

Posted by: DO SOMETHNG | Sep 2, 2005 12:17:25 PM

Where are the animal rescue workers? I saw on CNBC a report where a man and his three dogs were on a hotel roof...will someone help these dogs? A small boy had his dog,Snowball, taken from his arms before they would let him on a bus...has New Orleans become the Warsaw Ghetto? Thank you Republicans...you elected a fine man to help us!!!!

Posted by: Kathy keys Mason | Sep 2, 2005 12:47:28 PM

This is sad that I am trapped in a place where I do not have any money to survive.I am from New Orle ans, and I have family that turn there back on me. But only God is Good

Posted by: Alisa | Sep 2, 2005 2:00:42 PM

Is there a site where people can volunteer to come and help with the disaster?

Please advise.

Thank you.

Posted by: Marylyn | Sep 2, 2005 4:23:28 PM

We IBEW union members in Atlanta are colecting funds throughout our jobs and challanging the big contractors to match what we are taking out of our pockets to help the working men and women who have been devestated by this catastrophic event. Hopefully this is being done nationwide

Posted by: ralph | Sep 2, 2005 5:15:40 PM

I would just like to express my sadness to all the people who have been affected by katrina. I live in the United Kingdom and would just like you to know that the british people have you in their prayers. I have donated to the american red cross and i can only hope that the british government set up an appeal to help.

Posted by: kerry | Sep 2, 2005 5:17:00 PM

Is there a legitimate address that I can send survival gear to, things such as tents, flashlights, water containers?

Posted by: dirkrambo | Sep 2, 2005 6:26:07 PM

I'm appalled at the lack of preparedness of state & federal authorities for this disaster, and the suffering of a great city.
I'm Canadian - & I've never been to New Orleans - though I will some day. I've been looking in vain for appeals from major charities (or even minor ones) - because I would like to do do something to help. I live in Toronto - & I thought my local newspaper ought to be running ads for disaster relief organizations - but I've seen nothing. I see at the top of this website an address for the Salvation Army & Red Cross. But where is the huge response that came after the Boxing Day tsunami ? I'm horrified by my government's slowness to respond, & the dearth of offers to help.
I will contribute what I can to a relief organization - can anyone tell me if there's one that's actually out there & doing something?

Posted by: M. Woods | Sep 2, 2005 6:57:46 PM

willing to take some people in and put them up in two 1 bedroom apartments. willing also to share my 1 bedroom apartment.
I will do this only through some chartable organization.

also, i work only 3 days out of the week, would apprecita any info on how is it that i can help using my cable internet connection.

Posted by: sahel | Sep 2, 2005 7:46:20 PM

We have 2 apartments in Reading, PA that we would be willing to lend/rent to someone in need. These persons should be able to pass a credit and criminal background check. We can only afford to lend the apartments for 1 month. After that, the tenant would have to pay rent, which we can negotiate, depending on the tenant's means.

We are also an approved foster home, and would be willing to host up to 2 displaced children. We can accomodate 1 boy and 1 girl under the age of 13.

WE WILL ONLY DO THIS THROUGH SOME CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION.

Posted by: R Weand | Sep 2, 2005 8:29:50 PM

Bush should NEVER have been 'made' president. Period. While 9/11 was unfolding, what was he doing? Reading along with a class of 9 y/o's...Common sense tells ME to get up off my butt and act. Hurricane Katrina hits and 5 days later and after the Governor and Mayor make public pleas...HE decides "help is on the way". (just like 9-11) MOST IMPORTANTLY, this catastrophy could have been prevented! And it wasnt caused directly by Katrina, an aging and deteriorating levee system needed upgrading and repairs. 2-3 yrs ago New Orleans and the state of Louisiana had a plan in place to correct this but DUBYA cut the funding... Ofcourse he had the funding for a Regiem change in IRAQ. And for all you 'good' Christians that voted for him on "Moral grounds"... All your vote did was cost Lives - innocent lives in Iraq and now innocent lives in New Orleans... BUSH is Unfit for Office. He is incompetent, arrogant, dishonest, and an elitist; you can see it in his stuttering, stammering, and hesitation.

Posted by: A Guy from New Orleans | Sep 2, 2005 8:51:39 PM

To M Woods in Toronto Go to working families.org they have a contribution site set up to help working families through the AFL-CIO they will insure that contributions do not get tangled in the bureaucratc red tape. To all my brothers and sisiters out of homes out of work and in need help is on the way The working class of America will find a way to take care of its own without the elitists help Hell even Fidel Castro has acted faster than W

Posted by: ralph | Sep 2, 2005 10:19:41 PM

Hurricane Relief: Too Little Too Late

Our government at work after 4 years of Homeland Security preparedness http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9162009/site/newsweek/

Its time for our National Leadership to speak out regarding the lack of timely response on behalf of our Federal Govt in the South. Many thousands of American lives will be lost in the next few days alone if the situation in the south is not brought under control immediately. On Tuesday, our President was in California shaking hands, joking it up, and PLAYING GUITAR with country music musicians on a Navy Ship, rather than taking command of the situation in the Southern States, a situation, which by all predictions on Sunday and Monday, could easily end up with the loss of tens of thousands of lives. Our President did not put National guard troops into action or mobilize Navy relief efforts until Wednesday (by all accounts five days late), by the time those shamefully modest resources get into place, fully one week will have passed, any many people will be dead.

Our Nation has had four years to prepare for such an event as Hurricane Katrina,with billions spent on FEMA, the Homeland Security Dept. and NorthCom, and yet the response to the situation is woefully tardy, and woefully indequate. I call on all Americans to speak with one voice and demand the Federal Government TRIPLE the troops (30,000 to cover and area the size of England is nowhere near enough) and resources sent to the area immediately. Minuites are precious, and our American brothers and sisters are dying needlessly of starvation and dehydration. It takes a human being three or four days to die of dehydration, and there are over 100,000 people in New Orleans alone, not counting other ares, who have not had food or water for at least that long. For the first time in modern history, Americans may witness tens of thousands of people die from starvation in the next two or three days. Food and water should be being airdropped into unreachable areas, as we did in Afghanistan and Iraq, but they're not. Hundreds of Military Helicopters should be being used to tranport the thousnds of people caught on rooftops, but as of Thursday, only FOUR helicopters were being used in search and rescue in the whole city of New Orleans, and those were being shot at. Civilian helicopter operators should be being recruited, commandeered if necesary, to help with airlifts, but they are not. Thousands of Coast Guard Reserves Nationwide should be being called up, but so far only five hundred have. Marine Amphibious assault vehicles should be being used to get to the neighborhoods tht have not been reached yet, but they are not. The FEMA holding camps that are set up at military bases around the US, and that are capable of holding up to three million people collectively, should be being readied to hold refugees, but they are not. The USS Comfort, the Navy's floating hospital ship, will not be deployed until Sunday of this week...one must wonder why it was not standing at the ready ten days ago, in position to arrive as soon as the storm winds died down on Tuesday. American Babies are dying in their mother's arms while our government lumbers into action like a herd of bedraggled, apathetic snails.

“This is a national disgrace,” said Terry Ebbert, head of New Orleans’ emergency operations. “FEMA has been here three days, yet there is no command and control,” Ebbert said. “We can send massive amounts of aid to tsunami victims but we can’t bail out the city of New Orleans."advertisement. "We have got a mayor who has been pushing and asking but we’re not getting supplies.”
He said the evacuation was almost entirely a Louisiana operation. “This is not a FEMA operation. I haven’t seen a single FEMA guy.”

News reports showed a crowd of refugees, including children, stranded without adequate food, water or medical attention at New Orleans' downtown convention center, even though it had been designated a shelter after the Superdome filled up. Seven bodies were strewn outside. When was asked on National Public Radio why no help had been sent, Homeland Security Secretary Miachel Chertoff said he was unaware of the problem (!). One must truly marvel at the incopetency of a man who must be the ONLY person in America who was unaware of the situation at the Convention Center.

“This is a desperate SOS,” New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin said in a statement made available to CNN. “Right now we are out of resources at the convention center and don’t anticipate enough buses. Currently the convention center is unsanitary and unsafe and we are running out of supplies for 15,000 to 25,000 people”. “They don't have a clue what's going on down there,” the Mayor told WWL-AM Thursday night." Mayor Nagin warned that thousands of residents could die if remaining water supplies are cut off or contaminated. Some 50,000 residents are still on rooftops awaiting rescue, he said. Many if not most have past the "Golden 72 hours" without food or water that Emergency Experts know are crucial to survival.

As of Friday, a chemical explosion is spreading noxious fumes around the already destroyed city of New Orleans, threatening thousands. Not since the Civil War have we seen such destruction, such suffereing on US soil. 911 pales in comparison. This is truly a National Disgrace of tragic porportions, and the situation needs to be adressed NOW, before thousands more, perhaps tens of thousnads die needlessly of starvation and third world diseases such as cholera and typhoid.

The American people need to call Senators, Representatives, Governors, the White House, the Media, Celebrities, Clergy etc. and demand that someone speak out, and take action. We have spent billions in Homeland Security preparedness, have tremendous resources, and yet are government is dispersing aid like molasses from an eye dropper, while people die. Many thousands more will die in the next few days if action is not taken.

Time to speak up America. Time to wake up Mr. President.

Recipient:
Please forward this email to everyone you know, donate to the Red Cross or charity of your choice, and above all, call your Government
Representatives to demand action.

Posted by: gg | Sep 2, 2005 10:43:55 PM

I LIVE IN LITTLE ROCK, AR. THE SCENES AND SAD AND HEART BREAKING. , BUT , MUCH GOOD HAS COME FROM A VERY SAD SITUATION WHAT THE OTHER STATES, COUNTRIES, OR WORLD DOESN'T ALWAYS SEE IS THE AVERAGE CITIZENS OF ARKANSAS FOR HEARTLESSLY GIVING: FOOD, CLOTHING, MONEY,TIME. THE STATE OF ARKANSAS HAS OPENED OUR SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, RESTAURANTS, CHURCH, HOMES, AND EVEN OFFERING JOBS , ACTIVIITIES , AND SERVICES FOR FREE OR FOR THE LA AND MS KATRINA VICTIMS. IT IS HUMBLING AND I AM THANKFUL FOR WHAT I DO HAVE. AND JUST ONE DOLLAR PER PERSON ADDS UP, OR WHAT A BOTTLE OF WATER OR A CAN OF FOOD MEANS TO SOMEONE ELSE THAT HAS NOTHING AND HAS BEEN WITHOUT FOR 3 DAYS. WE ARE ALL GOD'S CHILDREN, THEIR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS, WOULD WE TURN AWAY OUR ON FAMILIES IF THE SITUATION WAS OPPOSITE. MY POINT IS EVERYONE CAN HELP. YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH UNTIL YOU TRY. IT ALL STARTS WITH A DESIRE TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE. I AM SURE THERE ARE OTHER STATE HELPING ALSO, AND IT MAKES ME PROUD TO FROM ARKANSAS, TO BE AN AMERICAN. THEY VICTIMS WILL SURVIVE, AND WE WILL CLEANUP, REBUILD, AND START OVER AGAIN. BUT TO THE VICTIM'S YOU ARE NOT ALONE, WE DO CARE, AND GOD HAS NOT FORSAKEN YOU. NATURAL DISASTERS HAPPEN, LOSS HAPPENS, EVEN DEATH, BUT WE HURT, WE GROW, WE LIVE AND LOVE AGAIN.

Posted by: KELLY H. | Sep 2, 2005 11:38:08 PM

IF YOU WANT TO HELP GO TO WWW.LITTLE ROCK.COM
THERE IS A LIST OF THINGS OUR CITY IS DOING TO HELP THE KATRINA HURRIVAN EVACUEES. CHALLANGE YOUR OWN COMMUNITY, CITY, STATE, COUNTRY TO SET UP TO DO THE SAME TO HELP THESE PEOPLE. ONE PERSON CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Posted by: KELLY | Sep 2, 2005 11:54:35 PM

I am about 50 miles from New Orleans and was spared by her turn to the east. I am in Hammond Louisiana
I would like to tell everyone out there thank you in advance for all of your help.

Posted by: Patricia | Sep 2, 2005 11:56:42 PM

Hey Get off President Bush!! if you think it is so easy to handle a disaster bigger than the U.S. has ever had then go to it!!! its hard to get help to everybody and it don't help when the helicopters are being shot at!!!! gangs are killing people and raping women inside the dome. My prayers go out for the innocent that is caught up in all of this. but I dont blame it all on the president. I blame it on the devils causing harm to the innocent. It is hard enough to deal with getting supplies there we dont need gangs doing the devils work!!! Iam going down to help it bothers me to think about what could happen but when i see so many in need i cant set back and do nothing. But I don't think it is the presidents fault!!!!!!!!!!!FIND AWAY TO HELP INSTEAD OF PUTTING THE BLAME ON SOMEBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: shelly | Sep 3, 2005 12:49:29 AM

This is for all of the ones wanting to help by housing the victims that is great!!!!! But if you cannot afford to fund this yourself then do something else what I am getting to is DONT ASK THE GOVERMENT FOR MONEY AND CHARITIES. IT MAKES YOU SOUND LIKE A CREEP!!!!!!!!! Helping people should come from the heart not a way to get money that is needed elsewhere

Posted by: shell | Sep 3, 2005 1:17:40 AM

your beautiful.Iam our big fan

Posted by: sarbjit | Sep 3, 2005 4:23:34 AM

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