Marking the Third Anniversary of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

Three years after hurricanes Katrina and Rita, UUSC is working hard to ensure that the survivors of those hurricanes are not forgotten. Alongside UUSC members, congregations, coalition members, and other concerned individuals, we have worked diligently to help rebuild the Gulf Coast.

Many people have donated their time and funds to rebuilding efforts. Derrick Evans, executive director of Turkey Creek Community Initiatives in Gulfport, Miss., said, "Thank you hurricane volunteers, you alone have made the difference." Now, as we observe the three-year anniversary of the hurricanes, we need to continue to ask important questions - particularly, what role the government is playing in the continued effort to rebuild.

On August 20, 2008, when President George W. Bush visited the Jackson Barracks in New Orleans, La., he delivered a speech on the Gulf Coast recovery process. He said:

"I think the message here today is: Hope is being restored. Hope is coming back...I'm not surprised that hope is marching in, because I understand the nature of the people who live here in this community, and these communities. I have seen people when their spirits were at a low ebb, but never did they give up. And now I've seen incredible progress is being made."

Hope is being restored and people are rebuilding ... yet our continued support is crucial as those on the Gulf Coast are largely managing rebuilding efforts on their own. Forty percent of people affected by the storm are still in need. FEMA continues to displace families from toxic trailers with no clear plan of where they will go. Approximately 10,000 families living in FEMA trailers in Louisiana were displaced in the first quarter of 2008 alone.

The government response to this humanitarian crisis has been little, late, and gravely inadequate. On this third anniversary, UUSC thanks the more than 2,000 volunteers who have used vacation, personal, and unpaid leave to work on the recovery effort. We also thank all those who have donated to the UUA-UUSC Gulf Coast Relief Fund. Last, we want to thank our members who have contacted their lawmakers to demand a just Gulf Coast recovery effort.

As we mark the third anniversary of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, we also need to rebuild our will to ensure the survivors are not forgotten. We need to continue to volunteer through the Gulf Coast Rebirth Center, donate to continued relief efforts, and, especially, let our lawmakers know we have not forgotten the Gulf Coast.