To donate to this effort, visit Habitat of Benton County's Donation Page and select "Disaster Relief" as the donation designation. We will then send one check to Habitat International on behalf of the total donations.
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Dear Habitat leaders,
Since Hurricane Ida first struck land in Louisiana, Habitat for Humanity has been gearing up to provide support to affiliates to kick-start their response. This has taken additional time as a majority of local Habitat affiliates' staff members evacuated in advance of the storm.
This work includes rapid assessments of damage, distribution of tarps for short-term use and preparation for early recovery grants to kick-start response efforts. Habitat is focused on understanding the storm’s effect on low-income families and their homes so that we can engage in the recovery in the manner that best serves those impacted.
After making landfall, the storm moved from the Gulf Coast through the country to the northeast U.S., killing dozens and leaving hundreds of thousands of people without power. In addition to the physical damage in the affected areas, residents are also struggling with high temperatures, and shortages of water and gas.
We are in contact with local Habitat organizations in the storm’s path and share your concern for the safety of staff members and volunteers. We are grateful for their work so far in response to the storm and want to make sure they have the support they require. The situation on the ground is very challenging, and due to the conditions, it is not safe for volunteers to travel to the impacted regions at this time. Habitat for Humanity International actively works to determine the needs of affected communities and the hosting capacity of our local partners before placing volunteers for a response.
Habitat’s role will primarily be in the long-term recovery of the communities affected by the storm. Local Habitat organizations will lead recovery efforts with significant support from HFHI. Long-term recovery is an intense challenge and can be an underfunded aspect of disaster response and recovery. Contributions to support Habitat’s response to Hurricane Ida and other disasters around the world can be made online to Habitat’s Disaster Response Fund.
Our prayers are with survivors in all of the affected areas as we see the images of destruction from communities across our country. At a time when safe shelter has never been more important, Habitat is committed to working alongside these communities as they recover.
In partnership,
Adrienne Goolsby
Senior Vice President, U.S. and Canada
Habitat for Humanity International
