Disaster Preparedness and Response:
Restoring hope, rebuilding lives

Rev. Larry Snyder Testifies Before House Committee, Urges National Disaster Declaration for Oil Leak Disaster

July 20, 2010: Rev. Larry Snyder, President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA, in testimony today before Congressman John Lewis and the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight hearing on the Gulf Coast oil disaster called for a national disaster declaration, a new program of disaster unemployment assistance, and congressional approval of a coordinated regional plan to develop a long-term recovery. 

Read News Release | Download Full Testimony | Watch Testimony


About Catholic Charities USA's Disaster Operations

In times of disaster, the U.S. Catholic community is here to help. Catholic Charities USA's Disaster Response Office coordinates the Catholic Church's response to disasters in the United States and grants relief funds to local Catholic Charities agencies.

Relief and recovery services are provided at the local level by Catholic Charities agencies. Catholic Charities agencies provide critical services including emergency food, shelter, direct financial assistance, counseling, and support. These services are provided regardless of race, creed, or socio-economic status.

Below you will find a summary of the response to Hurricane Alex and other disasters across the United States. Information about the 2010 Gulf Coast Oil Leak can be found in our SNAPSHOT SURVEY SPECIAL EDITION: Disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.


National Disaster Response Activity

The following table outlines Catholic Charities USA's national disaster response activities as of June 2010.

AGENCY DISASTER CURRENT ACTIVITIES
Rapid City, SD Tornado and Flooding

Agency is working with residents from the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. The majority of their residents do not have health insurance.

Providing case management to more than 100 elders affected by tornado.

Providing food assistance and vouchers to woman and children that were left homeless by tornado.

Nashville, TN Severe Flooding and Tornadoes

Catholic Charities of Nashville has provided case management for 500 household.

A coalition of members of Red Cross, VOAD, Catholic Charities and community leaders are working to provide assistance to families rebuilding their homes

Catholic Charities is working with VOAD in debris cleanup activities.

Toledo, OH Tornado

Catholic Charities us working with people that do not have health insurance.

Providing case management to more than 300 families affected by tornado.

Writing grants to corporations to provide food assistance and vouchers to families affected by tornado.

Providing and still looking for assistance to support relatives of the people who have lost their lives (6 total).

Little Rock, AR Flash Flooding

Working with the local entities to rescue survivors from the flash flood.

After the rise of the rivers Caddo and Little Missouri, Catholic Charities staff and volunteers are working with families to clean up debris in the affected areas.

American Samoa, AS Tsunami and Earthquake

Working with FEMA, Red Cross, VOAD and the parishes to rebuild homes devastated by tsunami.

Working with the Department of Human services with the disabled community.

Giving away food and clothing to the unemployed residents from the Fish Cannery companies that went out of business.

Working with HUD in homelessness prevention.

Working with volunteers from Catholic University of Hawaii in doing outreach and providing mental health assistance and case management to the community.

Working with the police and different entities to decrease the wave of violence that is affecting the community. The diocese is trying to work with the school, youth and their families.

San Juan, Puerto Rico Severe Flooding

Puerto Rico is still affected by severe storms.

Catholic Charities is providing case management for more than 2,000 families affected by intense rains and flooding.

Caritas Puerto Rico is creating distribution site for families affected.

Community clinics to provide health assistance.

Wheeling, WV Severe Flooding

Catholic Charities is providing case management to 230 families.

Coordinating volunteer work crews and community resources to assist survivors rebuild their homes.

Lexington, KY Severe Flooding

Catholic Charities is providing financial assistance to families affected by heavy rains and flooding.

Financial assistance will be used for home repairs, car repairs, new clothing, or payment of bills that people are unable to cover due to added expenses or lost wages directly related to the flood.

Catholic Charities is working closely with volunteers to support the work of different churches, businesses, or other organizations in clean-up efforts.

Encouraging the community to be involved in the recovery process by subsidizing volunteer housing costs.

Covington, KY Severe Flooding

More than 150 families have lost their properties.

Catholic Charities of Covington has provided case management for about 450 household.

A coalition of members of Red Cross, VOAD, CC and community leaders are assisting families rebuild their homes.

Oklahoma City, OK Tornado

Working with United Way to provide food and vouchers to community residents.

Providing case management to 93 families whose homes were completely or partially affected by tornado.

St. Cloud, MN Severe Flooding and Tornado

More than 125 families have lost their properties or have major damages.

Catholic Charities has provided case management for about 450 households.

The Diocesan Director has been involved in meetings with Red Cross, Salvation Army and other nonprofit organizations.

Catholic Charities is recruiting volunteers to support affected families.

Memphis, TN Severe Flooding

Funding is being used to provide assistance with food, clothing, medical supplies and utilities to affected families.

Providing vouchers and utility payment to families that are not eligible for direct FEMA support. Assistance is also provided to families with utility payments and furniture replacement.

Jackson, MS Tornado

Assisting more than 1000 vulnerable households impacted by tornado and floods.

Providing direct assistance to families who have lost their properties.

Catholic Charities of Jackson and its volunteers have worked in conjunction with city administrators in debris clean-up in 5 counties affected by the tornadoes and flooding.

A coalition of members of FEMA, MEMA, Red Cross, VOAD, Catholic Charities and community volunteers are working to provide assistance to families in rebuilding their homes.

 

For more information, contact disasterresponse@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

 

 

Please Note: Catholic Charities USA hereby informs the general public that it has no relationship with any organization that purports itself to be Catholic Charities Foundation of the Catholic Diocese of Rome. Catholic Charities USA seeks donations in support of its work, for humanitarian relief as the result of natural disasters in America and in support of the work of its member agencies who provide direct service to over 8,000,000 people who live in poverty in the United States. Catholic Charities USA does not make grants to individuals or organizations other than to its member agencies, or in specific circumstances, its supporting members.

Contact Information

If your agency needs assistance responding to a disaster, please contact the Disaster Response Office.

If you are an individual in need of direct assistance, please contact your local Catholic Charities agency.


Gulf Oil Leak

For information about how Catholic Charities is responding please read:
SNAPSHOT SURVEY SPECIAL EDITION: Disaster in the Gulf of Mexico


Disaster Visibility Kits

Contact the Disaster Rsponse Office for information about kits to use during a disaster.


Online Resources

 


Support Disaster Response

Your donation helps Catholic Charities USA work directly with local Catholic Charities agencies as they respond to emergency disaster situations.

 


Did you know?

In 1990, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops commissioned Catholic Charities USA to respond to disasters in the United States. Since 1990, Catholic Charities USA has responded to thousands of disasters including the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks and the devastating 2005 Hurricane Season.