September 7, 2005
Washington, DC — The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) urges the community to take part in the national effort to provide aid to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Death tolls are expected to continue to rise and officials are still unsure when people can return to the area. It is currently unknown how many residents have been displaced. Included in this email are links to organizations and agencies to which you can donate money and/or volunteer.
The ‘Family News Network of the International Committee of the Red Cross‘ has created a ‘Locate Your Relatives‘ website. For information on locating loved ones please: http://www.familylinks.icrc.org/katrina/locate
Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued temporary guidelines (to be reassessed after 45 days) for hiring individuals evacuated or displaced as a result of Hurricane Katrina who currently lack personal documents, but are otherwise eligible for employment (full release included below).
ORGANIZATIONS
American Red Cross
http://www.redcross.org
800-229-819,1-866-GET-INFO or 866-438-4636
Federal Emergency Management Agency
http://www.fema.gov/press/2005/resources_katrina.shtm
Life for Relief and Development (LIFE)
http://www.lifeusa.org/
1-800-827-3543
NOTE: LIFE is an Arab/Muslim 501(c)(3) non-profit/non-Governmental organization with consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and registered with United States Agency for International Development (USAID), for more information please see:
http://www.un.org/esa/coordination/ngo/pdf/INF_List.pdf
Mercy Corps
http://www.mercycorps.org/
1-888-256-1900
Alabama Emergency Management Agency
http://www.ema.alabama.gov
Florida Division of Emergency Management
http://www.floridadisaster.org
1-800-342-3557
Louisiana Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness
http://www.ohsep.louisiana.gov
1-225-925-7400
Mississippi Emergency Management Agency
http://www.msema.org
1-601-352-9100; 24-hour emergency line, 800-222-MEMA or 800-222-6362