WASHINGTON – The states of Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana have established Hurricane Katrina hotlines to help coordinate public contributions of money, goods and services to assist victims.

The following toll-free hotlines have been activated and are now receiving calls from around the nation and the world: Mississippi – 1-866-230-8903; Alabama – 1-877-273-5018 and Louisiana – 1-866-334-8305.

These hotlines can coordinate donations of all types. A representative will take your name and contact information, as well as what type of goods and/or services you wish to donate.

Callers can also register their donations of goods or services or contracting services at the National Emergency Resource Registry (NERR), http://www.nerr.gov/ .The NERR coordinates efforts between the resources that are needed and the resources that may be available from the public and private sectors. The information is reviewed by emergency relief workers in the field, and calls are returned to those whose services or products may be required.

The current critical need is for monetary donations to assist organizations at work providing relief in affected areas. These include the Adventist Community Services, American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, Southern Baptist Convention and many others. USA Freedom Corps, a White House office created by President George Bush to encourage, promote and assist volunteering in America, is also coordinating all types of donations to the relief effort. You may contact USA Freedom Corps through its Web site, http://www.usafreedomcorps.gov/. The National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster Web site http://www.nvoad.org/ provides information about their members and Friends of VOAD who are assisting Katrina’s survivors in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and across the country.

FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

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