Nearly nine days after Hurricane Katrina made landfall, Episcopal Relief and Development is expanding its relief efforts to assist more people affected by the devastating hurricane in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Texas. The hurricane, one of the country’s worst natural disasters, has destroyed tens of thousands of homes and businesses. Officials estimate that the death toll could be in the thousands. Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced by the storm.

Robert W. Radtke, ERD President, has just returned from hurricane-ravaged Louisiana after meeting with The Rt. Rev. Charles Jenkins, Bishop of Louisiana, and diocesan staff in Baton Rouge. Abagail Nelson, ERD's Vice President for Program, is currently in the Gulf Coast working with affected dioceses to coordinate relief efforts and develop long-term recovery programs.

ERD is providing an additional $50,000 to support the work of Episcopalians and assist the Diocese of Louisiana. ERD has partnered with the diocese to hire a Disaster Response Coordinator for the area. The Coordinator will serve as an ERD and diocesan liaison and help local parishes respond to the devastating impact of Hurricane Katrina.

In Mississippi, ERD’s partnership with the diocese is providing an additional $50,000 to supply shelter, food, and other critical aid to people in four staging areas in the diocese, including Ocean Springs and Long Beach. The areas are being used as base camps where relief efforts are being organized. The support will also train people to screen evacuees and match them with screened families offering housing. ERD is also helping diocesan staff reach remote areas affected by the disaster.

ERD is supporting evacuees and displaced families in the Diocese of Alabama and West Texas. In Alabama, approximately 500,000 displaced people are seeking temporary shelter. ERD is helping displaced children in West Texas receive uniforms and school supplies so they can begin school in the area. 

So far, ERD has provided $222,500 in emergency relief to affected communities, including the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast and Western Louisiana. In the Central Gulf Coast, ERD is helping local parishes provide housing, food, and other emergency needs in local communities. Evacuees from New Orleans and other areas are being housed and cared for in Western Louisiana with support from ERD. 

For more details about the ERD and the Episcopal Church’s response to Hurricane Katrina, please check the Hurricane Katrina Crisis Center on our Web site at http://www.er-d.org/. The center will be continually updated with new information, personal accounts, and other resources.

To make a contribution to help people affected by Hurricane Katrina, please donate to the Hurricane Katrina Response Fund by credit card at http://www.er-d.org/ or by calling 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129. Gifts can be mailed to: Episcopal Relief and Development, c/o Hurricane Katrina Response Fund, PO Box 12043, Newark, NJ 07101. Please note: All donations given to the US Hurricane Fund beginning August 28, 2005 will be transferred to the Hurricane Katrina Response Fund.