Situation
On August 29 2005, a Category 4 Hurricane
named Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast of
the USA. With storm surges upto 20 feet
high and winds above 100 miles an hour,
the Hurricane ripped through many small
towns and also caused havoc in the city
of New Orleans.
The defensive levees around New Orleans
broke down under the pressure of the storm,
and suddenly, floodwaters raged through
the streets of this old city. Thousands
of people were killed and millions more
were displaced.
As aid agencies took a long time to get
to the scene and take control, desperation
on the streets turned to looting and violence.
The scene looked like a warzone in the
developing world, not a city in a major
superpower. And with debris, bodies and
water everywhere, there were concerns
over the spread of water-borne diseases
in the tropical climate.
Response
Humanity First were able to send in an
Assessment Team fairly quickly despite
problems with local infrastructure. HF
sent in a medical team and shipments of
tents, food and water. HF once again collaborated
with other organizations including the
Red Cross at Gonzales (Louisiana) and
the National Guard to set up temporary
relief clinics. There was also a tie-up
with Continental Airlines to provide free
air tickets and suitcases to help the
displaced victims with short-term transportation
needs around New Orleans, Baton Rouge
and other towns in the Gulf Coast.
Outcome
|
Victims
helped |
>
1,084 |
| Aid
delivered |
> $120,000 of materials |
| Mandays
of effort |
600
days |
| Project
Duration |
2
Months |
HF teams focussed on the main shelters,
and made 55 supply runs to the Mount Zion
Baptist Church as well as other shelters
to provide food, water, diapers and other
essential items. Several hundred people
were also transported out of affected
areas to Government Offices and Bus Stations.
300 winter coats were provided to student
in Louisiana. Suitcases were provided
to hundreds of stranded victims to help
give them a sense of hope and security.
Phase II projects include the Restoration
of Life project which aims to help families
around two schools to rebuild their lives.
Back
(Disaster Relief)
