IN THE NEWS

Hurricane Katrina Information and Relief Efforts

September 06, 2005

FEMA: Hotlines and Websites for Missing Persons, Volunteers, and Donations

Relief Organizations

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is moving ice, water, meals, Search and Rescue and Disaster Medical Assistance teams into areas hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina. Click here to visit FEMA's web site. 

To apply for assistance call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The speech or hearing impaired may call (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. You may also register for assistance online here. In addition, you may find FEMA's "Help After a Disaster: Applicant's Guide to the Individuals & Households Program" helpful.

To find local shelters and other state specific information please visit:

Louisiana Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness
(225) 925-7500

Mississippi Emergency Management Agency 
601-960-9020

Alabama Emergency Management Agency 
1-800-843-0699

Red Cross
1-866-GET-INFO (1-866-438-4636)

How to Help

Volunteer agencies provide a wide variety of services after disasters, such as clean up, childcare, housing repair, crisis counseling, sheltering and food. Below is a list of phone numbers approved by FEMA set up solely for cash donations and/or volunteers:

American Red Cross
1-800-HELP NOW (435-7669) English,
1-800-257-7575 Spanish

Southern Baptist Convention -- Disaster Relief
1-800-462-8657, ext. 6440

Salvation Army
1-800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769)

America’s Second Harvest
1-800-344-8070

Adventist Community Services
1-800-381-7171

Catholic Charities, USA
703 549-1390

Christian Disaster Response
941-956-5183 or 941-551-9554

Christian Reformed World Relief Committee
1-800-848-5818

Church World Service
1-800-297-1516

Convoy of Hope
417-823-8998

Lutheran Disaster Response
800-638-3522

Mennonite Disaster Service
717-859-2210

Nazarene Disaster Response
888-256-5886

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
800-872-3283

United Methodist Committee on Relief
1-800-554-8583

Below is a list of Jewish relief organizations provided by the National Jewish Democratic Council (these groups may or may not be sanctioned by FEMA):

Union for Reform Judaism Disaster Relief Fund
212-452-6526

United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism Hurricane Relief Fund
212-533-7800

Orthodox Union's Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund
212-563-4000

United Jewish Community's Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief Fund
877-277-2477

American Jewish Committee's Hurricane Katrina Fund 
212-751-4000

Mazon Hurricane Relief Fund
310-442-0020

Disaster Relief Donation through B'nai B'rith 
202-857-6600

Chabad-Lubavitch of New Orleans Disaster Relief Fund 
504-866-5164

Additional Resources

Relatives and loved ones who are struggling to cope with the devastation of the disaster and loss of life can contact their local American Red Cross to speak with a Disaster Mental Health volunteer.

Updated information about Hurricane Katrina

For updated information about the hurricane and relief efforts, please visit the FEMA and National Hurricane Center web sites.

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