FEMA And Voluntary Agencies: Partners In Mississippi Recovery
Release Date: August 17, 2006
Release Number: 1604-419
» More Information on Mississippi Hurricane Katrina
BILOXI, Miss. -- They've come to the Mississippi disaster from around the state and throughout the U.S., more than 300,000 people of all ages and occupations, creeds, and affiliations, united in purpose: to help those affected by Hurricane Katrina put their lives back together.
"Voluntary agencies have played a key role in this state's recovery," said Mike Womack, interim director of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA).
Volunteers from about 1,000 non-profit and faith-based organizations build and repair homes, provide funds for unmet needs, offer hope to those who have exhausted all other official avenues of assistance, mend broken heartsand inspire others to follow their example.
"I didn't have insurance. If I didn't get their help there would be nothing else to do but push what was left [of the house] out into the street," said Lucedale resident Wanda Warren about members of Church of the Brethren who replaced a roof lost to the storm.
Church of the Brethren is just one of many relief agencies with which the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) works. Others include the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, AmeriCorps, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), Church World Service and Mennonite Disaster Service.
Many voluntary agencies work together in their preparedness efforts through the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD). After the devastating Hurricane Camille in 1969, organizations involved in providing resources and services to communities affected by disasters shared their mutual concern about the frequent duplication of services. These organizations have met together annually since 1971 to increase cooperation, coordination, communication, and education.
Today, NVOAD has 52 state and territorial VOADs, a growing number of local VOADs, and 34 national member organizations. NVOAD participates in the National Response Plan. The plan forms the basis of how the federal government coordinates with the state, local and tribal governments and the private sector during domestic natural or man-made disasters. It incorporates homeland security, emergency management, law enforcement, fire fighting, emergency medical services, the private sector and other areas and integrates them so that they work together.
"When a disaster or emergency occurs, voluntary agencies start providing immediate assistance in accordance with the National Response Plan," said Nick Russo, federal coordinating officer for the Mississippi disaster recovery. "Many voluntary organizations were ready to hit the ground running before Katrina struck the coast."
Russo said FEMA establishes a Voluntary Agency Liaison (VAL) at disaster sites that coordinates voluntary agency activities. "The agency has a long tradition of collaboration, coordination and communication with the community of voluntary organizations."
Voluntary organizations are an integral part of FEMA's mission to provide support and guidance to states recovering from disasters. Mississippi has benefited from that relationship.
Since Katrina, more than 300,000 volunteers have donated nearly 4,700,000 hours of their time to serve more than one million meals, build or repair 3,132 houses, and perform countless other tasks related to the Mississippi recovery. The IRS-determined value of their work, at $18.06 an hour, is equal to almost $85 million. Voluntary agencies have also donated supplies and materials totaling about $78 million.
And their work does not end there.
"Voluntary organizations pull together to form long term recovery committees," said Russo. "The committees, established with FEMA's encouragement and guidance, continue the recovery process for as long as it takes helping communities meet unmet needs."
FEMA encourages individuals in disaster-affected areas to work with voluntary agencies when they're not eligible for any other official assistance. Like Wanda Warren of Lucedale, thousands of people throughout Mississippi know first hand what that help can mean.
"FEMA is as committed to being here for the long haul as are the voluntary agencies," said Russo.
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: Friday, 18-Aug-2006 14:08:59