Hurricane Katrina disaster relief

The disaster recovery response to Hurricane Katrina included federal government agencies like Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), state and local-level agencies, federal and National Guard soldiers, non-governmental charities, and private individuals. Tens of thousands of volunteers and troops responded or were deployed to the disaster - most in the affected area but also throughout the U.S. at shelters set up in at least 19 states. Monetary donations broke records set by the tsunami and 9/11 relief efforts in the U.S. In a reversal of usual positions, the U.S. received international aid and assistance from numerous countries.

Related Topics:
Disaster recovery - Hurricane Katrina - Federal Emergency Management Agency

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

More than 40,000 Army and Air National Guardsmen and 7,200 active-duty troops were stationed in the Gulf Coast region to assist with hurricane relief operations with some remaining several weeks.http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050903/ap_on_re_us/katrina_national_guard The military relief effort, known as Joint Task Force Katrina, is being commanded by Lieutenant General Russel L. Honoré, commander of the US First Army. At President Bush's urging, the U.S. Senate quickly approved $10.5 billion in aid for victims September 1 2005. The U.S. House of Representatives voted and approved on the measure Friday, September 2 2005 without any debate. President Bush requested an additional $51.8 billion on September 7. Congress approved that funding package the next day.

Related Topics:
Army - Air National Guard - Gulf Coast - Lieutenant General - Russel L. Honoré - US First Army - September 1 - 2005 - U.S. House of Representatives - September 2 - September 7

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

On September 24, 2005, following the havoc caused by Hurricane Rita, the National Guard named Brig. Gen. Douglas Pritt of the 41st Brigade Combat Team, Oregon Army National Guard, head of Joint Task Force Rita (formally called JTF Ponchartrain) (http://www.kgw.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D8CQSDL80.html, http://www.katu.com/news/story.asp?ID=79878). The fourteen hundred Oregonian soliders and airmen, including the 1st Batallion of the 186th Infantry which is designated a quick responce unit, are joined by engineers and military police from Louisiana, a Stryker brigade from Pennsylvania, and an engineering batallion from Missouri. It is their mission to provide relief support for all of the areas in Texas and Louisiana effected by the two storms and to remove obstructions that might otherwise hinder help to those effected.

Related Topics:
September 24 - 2005 - Hurricane Rita - National Guard - Douglas Pritt - 41st Brigade Combat Team - Stryker brigade - Pennsylvania - Missouri

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Governments of many countries have offered help to the U.S. for disaster relief, including the governments of Canada, France, Germany and Mexico http://www.spiegel.de/panorama/0,1518,372482-3,00.html.

Related Topics:
Canada - France - Germany - Mexico

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In addition to asking for federal funds, President Bush has enlisted the help of former presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush to raise additional voluntary contributions, much as they did after the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.

Related Topics:
Bill Clinton - George H.W. Bush - 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake - Tsunami

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Many had been critical of the slow response, with many people (particularly in New Orleans) left without water and food for three to five days (and continuing) after the storm. Among the first to express criticism of the management of the crisis had been The Pentagon, who complained only a day after Katrina hit that bureaucratic red tape from the Bush administration and the FEMA, (newly reorganized under the Homeland Security Department) had caused the delay of a scheduled and authorized military hospital ship from Norfolk, Virginia, among other related and prepared active military crisis response procedures.

Related Topics:
Water - Food - The Pentagon - FEMA - Homeland Security Department - Hospital ship - Norfolk - Virginia

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~