BATON ROUGE, La. –Volunteer organizations have joined Louisiana communities to smooth the road to recovery following the August flood. They play an important role in many federally declared disasters.
FEMA has organized volunteer groups in some affected communities to determine potential recovery resources for flood survivors that exceed what federal disaster assistance provides. They form long-term recovery committees to create solutions that fill in the gaps and unmet needs. Committees often collaborate with local leaders to identify what survivor needs remain.
Volunteer groups are crucial parts of recovery because federal disaster assistance cannot make survivors whole again. They are often the first to arrive and last to leave following any disaster.
Liaisons from FEMA organize the effort by coordinating meetings between volunteer groups and communities. They also assist their recovery strategy by informing them which recovery activities have been completed and those that remain.
Three groups that participate in recovery committees—Catholic Charities of Baton Rouge, Catholic Charities of New Orleans and Lutheran Disaster Response—have disaster case management agreements with FEMA to meet one-on-one with survivors and assess unmet needs. Approximately 185 case managers assist survivors with recovery plans, match needs to available resources and monitor progress.
Volunteers may help survivors find somewhere to live, repair homes or help resolve other unmet recovery needs. Flood survivors may call 2-1-1 or go online to www.louisiana211.org for referrals to Louisiana nonprofits that may help recovery.
