Appeal #627-J
Appeal amount: $41,500
Received to date: $12,500
SITUATION
More than 6 weeks after catastrophic flooding forced President Obama to declare 17 Georgia counties disaster areas, the effort to help flood survivors recover in the long-term is underway. Damages statewide are estimated at $250 million, with more than 2,800 homes damaged.
For many, floodwaters have receded, federal relief is in process and the challenge of rebuilding lives has begun. With shelters finally closed, families displaced by flooding are staying in emergency shelter or with family & friends. As long-term recovery takes shape, CWS staff have identified four Georgia counties where needs are particularly profound.
CWS RESPONSE
Church World Service Emergency Response Specialists Joann Hale is facilitating the agency's Georgia response: jhale123@aol.com, 917.705.3038, cell.
Church World Service Emergency Response Specialist Lura Cayton is coordinating training for this response: lcayton@churchworldservice.org, 405.760.4713, cell.
In the days following the flooding, CWS provided material resources in the form of 1,860 CWS Hygiene Kits, 500 CWS Emergency Clean-up Buckets, 200 CWS Emergency Blankets, 2,010 CWS School Kits, 4,600 protective latex gloves and 1,500 protective masks. Estimated value is $81,322. The shipment was diverted to Chattooga based on local recommendation of pervasive need.
Several Church World Service Domestic Roundtable partners have been working throughout the state in the weeks following the flood. CWS expects to play a great coordinating role in the coming weeks in order to better facilitate how national partners work with local long-term recovery groups.
In addition, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has requested CWS provide training to a number of recovery groups just forming. Training will take place November 13 at 9 a.m. in FEMA's Joint Field Office, 4360 NE Expressway, Atlanta, Georgia 30340.
ERS Hale has been in extensive contact with leaders in Georgia's Latino community, which has been particularly hard hit in this historic flood. Based on meetings and exchanges in the coming days, CWS expects to launch disaster recovery projects and other supports designed to help the marginalized Latino community recover.
BUDGET
Material Resources: $6,500 (CWS cost)
Emergency grants for long-term recovery: $20,000
Staff travel: $15,000
TOTAL: $41,500
Contributions to support this emergency appeal may be sent to your denomination or to Church World Service, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN, 46515. Please designate: 2009 SOUTHEASTERN U.S. FLOODING (#627-J).
For further information about disasters to which Church World Service is responding please visit www.churchworldservice.org or call the CWS Hotline, (800) 297-1516.
CWS Emergency Response Program special contacts: (212) 870-3151
Program Director: dderr@churchworldservice.org
Domestic response: bvollmering@churchworldservice.org
