FEMA Urges Families To Check With The Louisiana Family Assistance Center Regarding Missing Relatives 

Release Date: March 9, 2006
Release Number: 1606-152a

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AUSTIN, Texas -- Hurricane Katrina and Rita victims in Texas still seeking information about missing family members are urged to contact the Louisiana Family Assistance Center (LFAC) located in Baton Rouge, La.

LFAC (formerly Find Family National Call Center) is a joint effort between the State of Louisiana, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) National Disaster Medical System and Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team branches.

Following the catastrophic hurricane season that separated thousands of families, the official nationwide coordinating center received nearly 12,000 phone calls and created a database of more than 13,000 missing persons. Only 1,900 cases remain unresolved. 

Families seeking information about loved ones can access the center's online list of missing persons at www.dhh.louisiana.gov or call the center toll-free at 1-866-326-9393 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. CST, seven days a week. Previous callers also are urged to update any information about missing persons in the database.

First-time callers will be asked a series of questions that are solely for the purpose of identifying and reuniting family members. With the information, the LFAC can access national databases and coordinate with other organizations, such as the Salvation Army, to find missing persons. When individuals are found, the center helps to reunite them with family.

The center also works to identify the remains of those who died during the hurricanes. When a deceased relative is identified, the center helps family members coordinate funeral arrangements.

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: Thursday, 18-May-2006 09:12:34