Volunteers Help Resolve Problems For Disaster Victims 

Release Date: May 15, 2008
Release Number: 1751-075

» More Information on Arkansas Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- The road to recovery isn't always smooth - ask anyone trying to come back from the March and April severe storms, tornadoes and flooding. But because a network of nonprofit, voluntary and faith-based agencies steps in, the road is paved with help along the way.

Working quietly in the background of the Arkansas disaster, declared by President Bush on March 26, these volunteers - coordinated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) - take on and resolve some of the problems for people impacted by the disaster.

Disaster recovery for every family moves in stages from emergency relief, to short-term recovery, and eventually to long-term recovery, which may take years. The help that voluntary agencies and generous donors provide is essential for filling in the gaps between needs and government assistance.

In Arkansas, a web-based voluntary agency management system is being used to categorize disaster assistance and serve as a resource for disaster victims. To find out about any voluntary services available in your area, call 2-1-1 or visit the 211 website at www.arkansas211.org. If you are unable to reach 2-1-1, you may call 1-866-489-6983.

Some of the voluntary agencies assisting Arkansans recover from the March and April storms include:

Adventist Disaster Response

Assists individuals, families and communities victimized by natural disasters.

American Red Cross (ARC)

Responds to disasters and provides emergency services such as sheltering and food.

Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Committee on Relief

Responds to disasters that overwhelm a community's ability to recover on its own. During the Arkansas disaster, UMCOR trained Long-term Recovery Committee members for case management.

Arkansas Crisis Response Team

Provides crisis intervention in the aftermath of a disaster.

Arkansas Rice Depot

During the Arkansas disaster, provided flood bucket clean-up kits as well as food in disaster-affected areas.

Arkansas State Baptist Convention

Supplied food, temporary showers and assistance with debris in Arkansas.

Catholic Charities of Arkansas

Provides information and makes referrals to services available through the churches to help survivors of the Arkansas disaster.

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Provides immediate response with funding, materials and volunteers for disaster areas.

Church World Service

Offered tools and training during the Arkansas disaster including organizing for recovery, planning, managing cases, managing volunteers, managing rebuilding and resource development and donations.

City Team Ministries

Addresses immediate needs and then work within a community to address long-term recovery.

Lutheran Disaster Response

Ministers to the unmet needs of those affected, regardless of faith or creed.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance

During the Arkansas disaster, created a shed-in-a-box kit, for temporary storage, that could be delivered to disaster and construction areas.

The Salvation Army

Offers disaster relief response to support first responders.

Tzu Chi Foundation

During the Arkansas disaster, Tzu Chi issued monetary gift cards to disaster victims.

United Way

Offers referrals to residents for services in disaster areas.

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terrorism.

Last Modified: Thursday, 15-May-2008 15:50:52