Volunteer Agencies Assist Disaster Survivors
Release Date: September 19, 2006
Release Number: 1606-254
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AUSTIN, Texas -- National and local voluntary agencies are cornerstones of emergency relief and support during and after any federal disaster because of their experience. Services are usually provided by the voluntary agencies in two phases: the response phase and the recovery phase.
Response phase activities and services are provided prior to other formal assistance, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). These include:
- Operating shelters, fixed and mobile feeding sites.
- Providing food bank commodities, cleaning supplies, furniture, and household appliances.
- Designating locations of First Aid stations, providing disaster health services, and crisis counseling.
- Individual assistance for critical needs.
Recovery phase activities and services for unmet needs are provided through the establishment of Long Term Recovery Committees. The Long Term Recovery Committee is a working group with decision-making authority, in which all participating organizations are equal partners. Recovery activities and services include:
- Conducting needs assessments and assisting with re-building and repairs.
- Case management, training volunteer and paid staff, and pastoral services.
- Payment for emergency transportation needs for medical appointments, and job interviews.
- Assistance with accessing disability services and other community social service agencies.
- Locating missing persons, rescuing abandoned pets and pet boarding.
- Address and provide referrals for special needs brought to the attention of FEMA that can be addressed by the volunteer and community agencies.
FEMA's Volunteer Agency Liaisons (VAL) assist the volunteer agencies in understanding federal assistance programs, timelines, collaboration and donation management. These liaisons facilitate relationships between voluntary organizations and other public and private entities in all phases of disaster planning, response, recovery, and mitigation.
"Volunteer agencies are an integral part of the disaster response and recovery and continue to meet needs that are beyond the scope of federal and state disaster programs," said Denise Gilliam, a FEMA VAL supervisor in Austin, Texas.
Within Texas, of the more than 479,000 FEMA Individual Assistance registrants, it is estimated that more than 75 percent of these individuals received some type of voluntary agency emergency assistance. These agencies will continue to play a pivotal role as FEMA rental assistance ends in 2007.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 19-Sep-2006 10:46:11