Here's a way to share resources you may have access to: ****You can List Your Organization's Available Goods, Services to Donate/Sell at National Emergency Resource Registry ****
We all share in the sadness of those who are affected by Hurricane Katrina, which has caused widespread destruction along the United States Gulf Coast. Although the eye of the hurricane has passed, hazards from weakened and damaged trees, downed power lines, high water and other dangers remain, and a very long recovery and rebuilding period lies ahead. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the priority at this time is to meet the immediate life saving and life sustaining needs of victims in the impacted areas. FEMA, along with other federal partners and state governments, is coordinating a massive mobilization of resources for urban search and rescue efforts, housing, food and medical care. A comprehensive recovery strategy is being activated, to restore electric power, repair transportation infrastructure, restart energy production, and provide long-term housing for displaced families. Throughout the nation, people, companies, and organizations are looking within, to identify what they can contribute toward the relief effort. For companies, in particular, it is confusing in these early stages of the recovery period to know how/when/where to notify authorities of what they have to offer. To meet this need, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has activated the Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN) in an effort to expedite response efforts and save lives. People and their companies are encouraged to log on to HSIN at http://www.swern.gov, and access the National Emergency Resource Registry (NERR) by clicking on the link in the upper right corner of the page. The NERR -- via the HSIN-CI Program -- stands ready to assist the coordination efforts between the resources that are needed and the resources that may be available from the private and public sectors. Once registered, this resource allows HSIN-CI members, as well as the general public, to submit information about resources that may be used to support on-the-ground recovery efforts. This is a secure, official U.S. Government system to facilitate the marrying of capabilities and supplies with needs. The highest priority needs are for fuel, water, emergency supplies, housing, transportation, and infrastructure support items. IF YOU OR YOUR ORGANIZATION HAVE RESOURCES -- WHETHER GRATIS OR FOR A FEE -- THAT MAY BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE RESPONSE AGENCIES, PLEASE LIST THEM IN THIS RESOURCE REGISTRY. Other government resources are listed at http://www.fema.gov/press/2005/resources_katrina.shtm In addition, the American Red Cross, www.redcross.org, and the Salvation Army, http://www.salvationarmyusa.org, are accepting relief contributions at their Web sites. Also, http://www.moveon.org has launched an emergency national housing drive to connect your empty beds with hurricane victims who desperately need a place to stay. You can post your offer of housing (a spare room, extra bed, even a decent couch) and search for available housing online at http://www.hurricanehousing.org. Housing is most urgently needed within reasonable driving distance (about 300 miles) of the affected areas in the Southeast, especially New Orleans.
