June 29, 2006 – GULF COAST COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTER TEAM COMES TO WASHINGTON TO MEET REPRESENTATIVES OF CONGRESS

IRD-US President and CEO Arthur B. Keys, Jr. and IRD-US’ Gulf Coast Community Service Center staff met with Senator Trent Lott (R., MS) today and asked for his assistance in securing funding for Center programs.

“We were so pleased to learn that $86 million of the funds allocated by Congress last December have been released to the state of Mississippi,” said Keys. “We are hopeful that the Center will receive support from this appropriation to fund our case management work. We asked Senator Lott to assist us in assuring that the Center would be funded.”

During the meeting of the Center staff with Senator Lott, Department of Labor Secretary Elaine Chao telephoned the senator to announce that DOL had just extended its National Emergency Grant (NEG) program to pay salaries of personnel who lost their jobs due to the hurricane. Nine Center staffers are funded by this Department of Labor grant.

May 1, 2006 – GULF COAST COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTER RECIEVES GRANT FROM AMERICARES

AmeriCares, a non-profit international disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization, has awarded a $25,000, one-year grant to IRD-US, Arthur B. Keys, Jr., president and CEO of IRD-US announced today.

The grant will fund the needs assessment and community mapping component of IRD-US’ Gulf Coast Community Service Center. The center currently provides case management and related services, helping to identify community needs and mapping neediest populations to ensure more targeted services are delivered.

January 18-20th – IRD-US GOES TO CONGRESS

IRD-US President and CEO Arthur B. Keys, Jr. and his staff met with several key members of congress to inform them of the critical social services provided by the Center and to urge him and other members of Congress to support rebuilding people’s lives as well as their homes.

Lori West, program director for the Center, commended the members of Congress and Senator Trent Lott (R-MS) and his staff in particular. “They have been so helpful to us down in the Mississippi office, directing us to the right people and giving us good counsel when it was needed.”

December 8, 2005 – IRD-US CONDUCTS ASSESSMENT IN HANCOCK COUNTY

Lara Evans, IRD-US Relief Program Officer, toured Hancock County, Mississippi December 8 to assess the needs of the county and opportunities for IRD-US assistance in the region. Lara found that Hancock County, one of the most vulnerable regions in Mississippi, had been largely ignored in the Gulf Coast rebuilding - no services restored, families living in tents, employees who can’t return to work.

Lara, with the assistance of Hancock County community leaders, met with Elementary School and Hospital Staff in Waveland and Bay St. Louis. IRD-US is working to provide services to the county through the Gulf Coast Community Services Center.

November 28, 2005 – IRD-US’ GULF COAST COMMUNITY SERVICES CENTER OPENS DOORS TO PUBLIC

On November 28, 2005, IRD opened the doors of its Gulf Coast Community Service Center, in Gulfport, MS. The Center helps address the human needs of the survivors in Gulfport through ongoing case management and community mobilization efforts by providing free legal assistance, financial management advice, and counseling; a full-time staff, together with volunteer professionals from the community, provide these services.

November 1, 2005 – IRD-US HIRES LOCAL TEAM FOR GULF COAST COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTER

IRD-US recently hired the local team for IRD-US’ Gulf Coast Community Service Center. The Gulf Coast Community Service Center assists hurricane survivors as they navigate the maze of existing social services, while also providing assistance with legal services, counseling, and financial planning. While the IRD-US team will staff the center, caseworkers and professional volunteers will also play a critical role in facilitating community outreach and assistance for survivors.

Lori West, a Gulfport native, will be responsible for managing the center, as well as overseeing other economic and community development initiatives for IRD-US on the Gulf Coast.

“IRD-US recognizes that the need for long-term social services such as financial planning and legal assistance will continue to grow as people recover from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina to rebuild their lives,” West said.

October 17, 2005 – IRD-US’ ACTIVITIES IN BILOXI TO DATE: PROGRESS AND PLANNING FOR THE LONG TERM

Since Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, destroying homes and devastating the local economies and infrastructure, IRD-US has been working in the Gulfport-Biloxi area of Mississippi conducting field assessments, delivering and distributing emergency relief supplies and meeting with local community leaders and organizations. To date, IRD-US has delivered six trucks loaded with emergency relief supplies, hygiene goods and household items to hurricane survivors living in Louisiana and Mississippi.

Since September, IRD-US has met and worked with Biloxi City Councilman Bill Stallworth to assess the needs of his devastated community. Working with local churches and fellow relief agencies, IRD-US has identified vulnerable groups living in the area and has delivered two trucks loaded with relief and hygiene supplies to the Vietnamese Catholic Church and the Vietnamese Buddhist Temple in East Biloxi – a large community reeling from the hurricane’s wrath and facing the possibility of marginalization.

Furthermore, IRD-US is working with the Coastal Family Clinic in East Biloxi to deliver medical commodities and insulin shipments for distribution to residents. IRD-US is also working with relief partners, Urban Life Ministries and the Salvation Army, to distribute household items and hygiene supplies to affected families.

In an effort to expand our long-term recovery efforts, IRD-US is in the process of opening an office in the Gulfport area. This new office will allow IRD-US greater access to this small town along the coast that was severely impacted by the hurricane. While meeting with city Council Members Ella Holmes-Hines and Gary Hollimon, IRD-US recognizes opportunities for community outreach and long-term economic development.

IRD-US will continue to meet with local leaders – both in the public and private sectors – to develop strategies to improve community development, enhance survivors’ access to social services and provide vocational educational training for long-term economic development.

September 26, 2005 – IRD-US LEARNS ABOUT CITY ACTIVITIES AND POSSIBLE RE-ZONING PROJECTS IN EAST BILOXI, MS

IRD-US’ team met with a member working on code enforcement at the Biloxi Community Development Planning Department that updated IRD-US on the city’s current activities including immediate demands. IRD-US also met with an Executive Director of the Department who provided IRD-US information about the potential re-zoning in East Biloxi, affordable housing projects and issues relating to housing reconstruction. In addition, the Director advised IRD-US of plans for casinos and other big projects in the area.

IRD-US is also working with Samaritan’s Purse, an organization that is bringing volunteers into the area as well as distributing commodities. IRD-US has coordinated with the East Biloxi Coordination Center and Samaritan’s Purse in order to affirm that the organization’s volunteers are well-placed in the surrounding areas.

September 24/25, 2005 – IRD-US SPENDS WEEKEND IN EAST BILOXI, SENDS TRUCK OF HYGIENE SUPPLIES TO COASTAL COUNTIES

IRD-US’ staff observed that the weekend in East Biloxi was quieter then a week ago, now that many places have returned to more normal operating hours. The morning of September 24, IRD-US stopped by the Casino Magic Employee Resource Center in Ocean Springs, MS where they spoke with the coordinator of the center. The casino is now providing general information as well as job training for employees to become OSHA certified.

In the afternoon, IRD-US met with Rev. Mitchell at Gateway Methodist Church in North Gulfport, MS. Rev. Mitchell was in charge of the Seashore Mission in East Biloxi. The Mission provided services to the homeless in the area including three hot meals a day, food pantry, employment assistance, and slept 70-80 people a night. The Mission’s building was completely destroyed in the storm, and their staff as well as the people they served have scattered. Rev. Mitchell stated that he sent a number of people north to Corinth, MS and realizes that many want to return but is concerned about the community’s ability to recover.

Rev. Mitchell is also the UMCOR Disaster Coordinator for the coastal counties. IRD-US is sending a truck of hygiene supplies from Heart to Heart as well as a truck of supplies from IRD-US’s warehouse to the UMCOR warehouse which will then be distributed through the operations network of churches.

On the afternoon of September 25th, IRD-US’ team went back to the Coordination Center and met with Islamic Relief. Islamic Relief has begun a survey of East Biloxi, MS residents. The survey is intended to assess the needs of individuals in the community and includes questions about structural damage, FEMA registration, sources of income and employment opportunities.

September 23, 2005 – IRD-US EXPLORES EAST BILOXI AND GOES TO GULFPORT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

IRD-US has a team back on the ground and was once again able to explore East Biloxi, MS and the areas around Gulfport, MS. A member of IRD-US’ team observed that while there has been some progress in the debris cleanup there was surprisingly little improvement to the residential streets.

IRD-US also arranged a meeting with a member at Gulfport Memorial Hospital. The hospital is currently operating an information line through their Community Relations office that provides information focused on medical care but also provides information on FEMA and housing. The information line is currently located in the hospital and funds have been committed for the next 90 days. The hospital has also been receiving many donations and sending excessive donations to area shelters.

September 22, 2005 – IRD-US TEAM BACK ON THE GROUND IN EAST BILOXI AND GULFPORT, MS

IRD-US sent a team back to East Biloxi and Gulfport, MS in order to reestablish their presence in the areas and work with city officials and local community agencies in the on-going relief efforts. IRD-US’ team consists of IRD-US’ Director of Economic Development, Robert Jacobi, and Health Program Assistant, Brigitte Hoyer.

IRD-US’ team will also be meeting with other NGO partners working in the area including Islamic Relief and Oxfam America in order to work on community development projects and develop long-term rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts. IRD-US will also be helping to facilitate the distribution of medical supplies, health and hygiene kits and other relief provisions to the victims of this disaster.

September 16, 2005 – IRD-US COORDINATES AND UNLOADS DELIVERY OF RELIEF SUPPLIES TO VIETNAMESE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN BILOXI, MS

IRD-US’ assessment team helped to unload a 53-foot trailer filled with hygiene products and relief supplies that were delivered to a Vietnamese Catholic Church in Biloxi, MS. IRD-US coordinated the shipment and delivery of the supplies with Heart to Heart International. The Catholic Church, which predominately serves the low-income, Vietnamese population living in East Biloxi, will then distribute the supplies to the survivors living in the area.

IRD-US’ Director of Relief, Adam Koons, was interviewed for the Vietnamese Public Radio International. Adam discussed IRD-US’ involvement with the Vietnamese community in East Biloxi, MS and the two shipments of relief supplies IRD-US arranged to be delivered to the Vietnamese Buddhist Temple and the Vietnamese Catholic Church.

Members of IRD-US’ team also toured the Disaster Relief Center (DRC) managed by FEMA in Biloxi, MS. The center, located in West Biloxi, provides evacuees information about registering with FEMA and has staff available to assist evacuees with the registration and application process.

September 15, 2005 – IRD-US TOURS RESTRICTED AREAS IN GULFPORT, MS, ATTENDS MEETING WITH MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS IN BILOXI, MS

IRD-US received a special pass from the mayor of Gulfport, MS to tour the quarantined area restricted to the public due to the sever damage caused by Hurricane Katrina. When IRD-US toured the area they saw large barges swept inland, hollowed out casino buildings and homes lining the coast were completely destroyed.

Members of IRD-US’ team also attended a meeting with the Mayor of Biloxi, MS, City Council members and other NGOs working in the area. Biloxi City Councilman, Bill Stallworth, introduced IRD-US to the Mayor and IRD-US was able to speak to their capabilities as well as their commitment to working long-term in the area on community development activities.

September 14, 2005 – IRD-US UNLOADS RELIEF SUPPLIES IN GULFPORT, MS, MEETS WITH BUSINESS LEADER AND ARRANGES COMMODITY SHIPMENT TO VIETNAMESE TEMPLE

IRD-US’ team helped to unload relief supplies and large cases of bottled water delivered to the Trinity United Methodist Church. The church, which is housing and feeding IRD-US’ team and other volunteers, serves the local community of Gulfport, MS.

IRD-US also met with the President of People’s Bank in Biloxi, MS, to discuss the economic impact following the hurricane which includes the destruction of the gaming and the seafood industries – the economic foundations of the city. It is estimated that 16,000 casino jobs were lost following the hurricane, as well as an additional 14,000 - 16,000 jobs in service-related industries such as laundry, restaurants and hotels in the Biloxi, MS area.

IRD-US returned to the Van Duc Temple to coordinate a shipment of commodities from Heart to Heart International. IRD-US met with the leaders of the Catholic Church next door and are sending two trucks filled with hygiene kits, baby supplies and water for the community – one to the Van Duc Temple and one to the church.

September 13, 2005- IRD-US MEETS WITH NGOs, VISITS VIETNAMESE COMMUNITY IN BILOXI, MS. SPEAKS WITH BACK BAY MISSION IN OCEAN SPRINGS, MS

IRD-US’ assessment teams met with three other NGOs working in Biloxi, MS – Islamic Relief, the Salvation Army and Oxfam America. The groups also met with Biloxi, MS Councilman Bill Stallworth, to establish a coordination center for those NGOs working to provide immediate relief to residents of the area. The centralized base of operations for NGOs and volunteers will be located in an empty office of Visions of Hope, a local community-based organization.

One IRD-US assessment team, led by Adam Koons, also visited one of the Vietnamese communities near the coast of Biloxi, MS, mostly consisting of Vietnamese immigrants who worked in the fishing and casino industries that were entirely wiped out by the hurricane. IRD-US spoke with residents still living in the area, as well as with the Monk of the Vietnamese Chua Van Duc Temple. Volunteers at the temple are working to provide relief supplies and food provisions such as rice, noodles and soy sauce to survivors.

The other IRD-US assessment team met with the Biloxi-based non-profit organization, Back Bay Mission (BBM), a community-based organization specializing in community development, with extensive experience working on affordable housing issues for low-income groups and assisting the local homeless population. IRD-US and BBM committed to a continuous dialogue in the coming months in order to collaborate on long-term development programs.

September 12, 2005 — IRD-US TRAVELS TO SLIDELL AND BATON ROUGE, LA

IRD-US’ assessment team traveled to Slidell, LA, to meet with a representative from the Church of Latter-Day Saints to discuss on-going relief efforts in the local community including healthcare, the distribution of relief supplies and the longer-term need for psychosocial programs. The IRD-US staff was also able to survey the church’s warehouse where IRD-US had arranged the delivery of $100,000 worth of medical supplies, hygiene products and emergency relief provisions last week.

To cover more ground, IRD-US’ assessment team split into two groups. One group led by Dr. Keys met with a representative from the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). Both IRD-US and UMCOR are committed to implementing long-term programs that focus on job creation and economic development during the recovery and rebuilding phase of operations along the Gulf Coast. According to the UMCOR representative, in Louisiana alone, more than 500,000 people were displaced, a large portion of which were not home owners, but renters.

The other IRD-US team visited the Convention Center in Baton Rouge, LA, currently housing approximately 1,600 evacuees. The facility, run by the Red Cross, provides displaced families full access to a temporary school, daycare center, medical clinic and elderly care unit. In addition to providing meals – many of which were brought in by local vendors – booths were set up by community-based organizations providing various social services to all of the survivors.

September 11, 2005 — IRD-US UNLOADS RELIEF SUPPLIES AT GULFPORT, MS CHURCH

The IRD-US staff helped to unload a 40’ trailer filled with relief supplies delivered to the Trinity United Methodist Church. The trailer, shipped from Indiana, was packed with relief supplies such as bottled water, baby food, clothing, cleaning supplies and hygiene kits. The relief supplies have been stockpiled in the church community center and will be distributed to those victims of the hurricane living in the Gulfport, MS area. The church is providing daily meals, hygiene, cleaning and food supplies to 1,000 – 3,000 displaced people.

IRD-US is also working to establish partnerships with local NGOs in the Biloxi, MS area to better assess the needs of the local community and provide long-term assistance to the most vulnerable groups. IRD-US met with representatives from the Gulf Coast Community Foundation (GCCF), a local non-profit organization temporarily based in Fair Hope, AL with offices in Biloxi, MS. Dickie Roberts, Executive Director of the GCCF, led IRD-US’ team on a tour throughout the areas hardest hit in Biloxi, MS. The devastation was particularly acute along the coastal areas, where homes, hotels, casinos and restaurants were completely destroyed in the worst-hit areas.

September 10, 2005 — IRD-US ARRIVES IN GULFPORT, MS

The seven-person IRD-US Relief Assessment team arrived in Pensacola, Florida and picked up rental cars to travel to Gulfport, MS. A local resident who saw the relief team in the parking lot contributed $100 toward supplies on the spot. More evidence that people want to help.

Due to the limited lodging in the area, the IRD-US team is staying at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Gulfport, MS. In the evening, IRD-US members helped to unload a truckload of relief supplies that were sent to the church and will be distributed to victims living in the Gulfport area.