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Record Details:
World Vision - 2011 AL Tornadoes
Organization:Facility Type: Info/Hotline
Status: Open
Address:
HQ
Various, AL 00000
| Region: | |
|---|---|
| County/Parish: | Various |
Website: http://www.worldvisionusprograms.org/disaster_response_southern_usa.htmlsit
Management Contact: (hidden)
Management Phone: (hidden)
Other Contacts:(hidden)
This organization provides Temporary or Permanent Service? Temporary
Notes:
As communities across the South reel from the deadliest natural disaster in the United States since Hurricane Katrina, World Vision is appealing for $3 million to assist tornado survivors in an extensive, multi-state response effort.
UPDATED: World Vision continues its response for families and communities left devastated by the April 27 tornadoes in Alabama. Last week, we completed a distribution of relief items to those affected in parts of Tuscaloosa and Birmingham, Alabama, two of the areas hit hardest.
In the days and weeks ahead, we plan to continue to work with local organizations to provide assistance to those left most vulnerable - particularly neighborhoods and communities affected by poverty.
On May 4, World Vision dispatched a mobile distribution unit from its facility in North Texas, which provided emergency relief supplies for up to 500 people devastated by the recent tornadoes in Alabama.
As part of our large-scale response to the worst natural disaster in the United States since Hurricane Katrina, we will also send a semi truck to Alabama with 26 pallets of relief supplies, including shoes, clothing, and cleaning materials.
On May 2, our team completed assessments of needs and distributed initial supplies of personal hygiene products to families in Tuscaloosa and Birmingham, Alabama.
Responding rapidly
"We're most concerned about low-income families who don't have many resources to recover from these disasters," said Phyllis Freeman, World Vision's domestic disaster response director.
The mobile distribution unit will be able to drive directly into affected communities and provide urgently needed items like hygiene kits, shoes for kids, batteries, and flashlights, since many areas are still without power.
"This part of the country is not a part of tornado alley. That's what is making this so horrific," Freeman said. "This is hurricane country. That's why we want to do our work as fast as possible. There's no way of knowing what hurricanes may be coming in the future."
'We don't know what to do'
World Vision is partnering with local churches and organizations to set up points of distribution for relief supplies. We have provided $10,000 worth of cash grants to be given to the most vulnerable families who have been impacted, and we hope to disburse more grants as fundraising increases.
"We don't know what to do," said Connie McDonald, whose home fell off its foundation and was further damaged by a falling tree. She and her husband recently refinanced their home to pay for their daughter's cancer treatment.
"That's why I've cried all day. I've been real brave up until today...what will we do financially?"
A coordinated effort
World Vision's facilities in North Texas are serving as its domestic disaster headquarters, with 56,000 square feet of space and 1,000 pallet spaces of relief, recovery, and building materials ready to ship.
Meanwhile, Dallas volunteers are assembling hygiene kits for distribution and preparing medical supplies to be shipped quickly to the disaster site. In addition to responding to vulnerable communities in Alabama, World Vision is working with local partners to provide emergency relief supplies to children and families affected by weather-related disasters in Oklahoma, North Carolina, Mississippi, Missouri, and Virginia.
We expect the greatest immediate needs to include basic hygiene items, blankets, bedding, water, first-aid kits, and flashlights. We also plan to address the long-term recovery needs of affected families, with a specific focus on the needs of children.
"We will especially be looking for survivors where help hasn't arrived yet," said Phyllis Freeman, World Vision's domestic emergency response director and a veteran of our Hurricane Katrina response."We don't want anyone who desperately needs assistance right now to fall through the cracks."
Partnering locally
World Vision will partner with local churches and organizations to identify families and communities who are particularly vulnerable. Prepositioned supplies will be rushed from Dallas in the coming days, including clothes, shoes, cleaning supplies, and personal hygiene kits.
"It's mind-boggling to think of how many families and children now have no place to call home," said Freeman. "In shelters, something as simple as a dry, clean mattress can provide at least a little bit of comfort during this incredibly stressful time."
Assessments and initial distributions
Aerial view of tornado damage in TuscaloosaFreeman and her relief team colleagues are en route to Birmingham and Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to assess the greatest needs and to deliver an initial supply of personal hygiene items for survivors, many of whom have lost their homes and possessions.
World Vision will partner with local churches and organizations to identify families and communities who are particularly vulnerable. Additional prepositioned supplies will be rushed from Dallas in the coming days, including clothes, shoes, cleaning supplies, and personal hygiene kits.
"It's mind-boggling to think of how many families and children now have no place to call home," said Freeman. "In shelters, something as simple as a dry, clean mattress can provide at least a little bit of comfort during this incredibly stressful time."
Individual donations, corporate partnerships
World Vision's North Texas facility in Dallas will serve as a central hub for sending emergency supplies to children and families most in need.
We're currently recruiting corporate partners to donate quality new products specifically needed in disaster areas -- including rakes, generators, mops, brooms, and shovels.
In addition to prayer, "The best way Americans can help right now is through cash donations of any amount," added Freeman. "This allows World Vision and other responding groups to purchase supplies locally and respond quickly."
Forming local partnerships
Tornado Damage
World Vision works with local churches and other organizations in domestic disaster areas to identify families with limited means, families left destitute, or people who may have difficulty accessing other assistance.
"Churches are on the frontlines when disasters strike our country," said Freeman. "They know their communities and the needs that exist there."
World Vision's 56,000-square-foot North Texas facility includes the domestic disaster response hub of prepositioned response products, such as personal hygiene and cleaning supplies, clothing, shoes, and other relief, recovery, and building materials.
Info Source/Changes:(see full history)
Created At: Sun May 15 15:11:53 +0000 2011
Updated At: Wed Mar 14 23:51:01 +0000 2012
Updated By: LPar
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