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Disaster Relief

Hurricane Katrina (2005) demonstrated a desire of Jewish community members to volunteer together within a Jewish framework. Unfortunately, a comprehensive Jewish response network had not yet been established and many individuals were encouraged to volunteer through existing response networks.

Upon fielding numerous phone calls, JHI determined that it needed to fill the void and quickly mobilized medical practitioners and sent them to Vidalia, LA to offer first response services to individuals affected by the disaster. Five healthcare professionals volunteered in LA for 2 weeks and provided services to over 1,000 people. JHI worked with local agencies to provide credentials, room and board, and medical supplies for the volunteers. The effort was funded by a grant from the United Jewish Communities Hurricane Katina Relief fund. JHI realized that if a system had been in place at the beginning of the disaster they could have mobilized hundreds of professionals and served thousands of people.

JHI’s Board of Directors has determined the need to establish a comprehensive Jewish Disaster Relief Corps which would act quickly to mobilize and deploy volunteers, equipment and durable goods to assist individuals suffering the effects of a local disaster. The Jewish community must have a presence in disaster relief and response to act alongside other sectarian and non-sectarian organizations.

JHI is in the process of developing a Jewish Disaster Response System to coordinate efforts between JHI and other Jewish response organizations to assess disaster needs, deploy volunteers, and provide immediate relief. A First Response Team will also be developed which will immediately travel to the disaster area to assess community needs, and establish necessary infrastructure for the mobilization of Jewish Disaster Relief Corps volunteers. By establishing a Jewish Disaster Relief Corps, volunteers will be able to provide assistance under a Jewish umbrella for national and international disasters.

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