IRD-US to Provide Long-term Assistance to Hurricane Katrina Survivors

Action in Gulf States: Recovery and Community Development

In response to the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina, on Sept. 9, 2005 IRD US deployed a seven-member field assessment team of experts in relief, public health, economic and community development and logistics.

IRD-US’ Strategy: Targeting the Most Seriously Damaged Communities

To respond to the needs of Katrina survivors, IRD-US has opened the Gulf Coast Community Service Center located at 1600 30th Ave, Gulfport, MS 39501 to provide case management. The center serves two primary functions: to disseminate information, make referrals and help residents meet their immediate needs; and to provide mechanisms for community organizing that allow residents to continue to articulate their needs and find the means to address them from within their own communities

Relief Efforts: Delivery of Relief Supplies

IRD-US is working with partner organizations, such as the Interfaith Disaster Task Force, to arrange the delivery and distribution of relief supplies to affected communities. To date, IRD has delivered more than $850,000 worth of relief supplies to Mississippi and Louisiana.

IRD-US’s Approach: Working with Local Partners

IRD-US is working with city officials and local community agencies to develop strategies to best assist the poorest and most marginalized populations displaced by the hurricane. Additionally, IRD-US is collaborating with the Harrison County Long Term Recovery Coalition, Gulf Coast Women’s Center for Nonviolence, Inc., Mental Health Association, Catholic Social Services of the Biloxi Diocese, Open Doors Coalition, MS Lutheran Disaster Response, UMCOR, MS Conference of the UMC, Gulf Coast Community Action Agency and both Mississippi and local VOAD groups.

Prior Experience: Tsunami Relief

IRD-US is the domestic arm of International Relief and Development, Inc. (IRD) IRD has eight years of experience in providing both immediate relief assistance and implementing long-term economic development programs. IRD was one of the first responders to the catastrophic Tsunami that struck Southeast Asia in December 2004 and is applying said technical experience and expertise gained in Indonesia and Sri Lanka along with other international experiences to effectively respond to the Gulf areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina.