FEMA Offers Assistance to Non-English Speaking Alabamians 

Release Date: November 1, 2005
Release Number: 1605-088

» More Information on Alabama Hurricane Katrina

MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Residents and evacuees in the state of Alabama impacted by Hurricane Katrina are being assisted in many different ways by state and federal officials. Many of those affected by Hurricane Katrina are English-speaking residents. Bilingual and multilingual specialists provide language services through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) Community Relations program.

In Bayou La Batre there are specialists in the community who speak Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Laotian. These translators are working with approximately five to six hundred Asian families in the small fishing village located about twenty miles from Mobile. According to the most recent census, the Asian population of Bayou La Batre makes up more than 34 percent of the village inhabitants. Those of Vietnamese descent are the second largest population demographic, making up 23 percent of the populace.

The Community Relations program provides the vital information link between FEMA and the state and local communities affected by disasters. A Community Relations Specialist goes into communities to gather information and to distribute important recovery news to disaster victims. In many cases, a FEMA Community Relations Specialist is the first person affected residents speak to about what has happened to them.

Currently, there are nine bilingual specialists listening, speaking to, and assisting those individuals in need. These specialists are visiting with residents currently living in interim housing, including travel trailers, housed on both commercial and private property.

These specialists are part of a larger team of Community Relations staff who are responsible for conducting meetings at places of worship, community and business associations, consulates, retail shopping areas, and centers for the hearing-impaired. The bilingual specialists enable state and federal officials to assist a wider range of those displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

"We take steps to ensure that non-English speaking residents don’t miss out in the recovery process. Offering assistance to non-English speaking residents helps to ensure that language is not a barrier. Programs that include Community Relations translators are an essential part of our recovery efforts," said Michael Bolch, FEMA’s senior deputy federal coordinating officer.

Residents who wish to inquire about how to get in touch with a Community Relations specialist can call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or TTY 1-800-462-7585. Non-English speaking callers will then be directed to the appropriate Language Services Coordinator, who determines the language and dialect needed.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 01-Nov-2005 14:06:24