Volunteers initially will be doing cleanup
work such as cutting down trees, removing debris, mucking out houses, and putting
tarps on roofs. "Then as
our efforts continue we will engage local folks to do needs assessment within
the community," said Payton. "We anticipate that the villages will
be up for quite a period of time, how many months or even years we don't know."
More information for work teams 
The first tent city was set up in Gautier on the property of a Presbyterian
church, and can house about 80 people.
The second is in D'Iberville. Created on a city softball field at the invitation
of the mayor, it can host about 100 people.
A third is in place at the Diamondhead Community Church, in southwestern rural
Mississippi, which Payton described as a "Presbyterian Church very active
in assistance. They have been housing volunteers - sometimes more than 100 -
since the storm hit."
At least two more Volunteer Villages are planned, one in the north Gulfport
suburb of Orange Grove, and another in Bay St. Louis. Payton said PDA purposely
created the model so it can be reproduced.
"I am proud of our efforts, small though they may be, when compared to
the enormity of the recovery task ahead," said Payton. "The uniting
bond we share is the simple desire to serve those so devastated by the wrath
of Hurricane Katrina."
When developing the Volunteer Villages, PDA tapped the expertise of the emergency
section of Norwegian Church Aid (NCA). Two NCA representatives stayed one week
each in Mississippi, helping to design the first village, then standardizing
and improving operations.
Anders Haaland of NCA said he felt like he gained has much as he contributed
from his deployment to the United States. "We worked together to put in
place the organizational framework necessary to ensure that the camps operated
efficiently and safely - and that they help the right people, and help the volunteers
have a meaningful stay. This included the details of how to schedule volunteer
teams in and out efficiently - ensure that the skills necessary could be mobilized
when required; ensure a professional needs assessment; and ensure adequate coordination
with federal, state and local authorities and the Voluntary Organizations Active
in Disaster network."
Haaland said he was impressed with the work of the churches and volunteers
during Katrina's aftermath. "I am very impressed with the number of and
dedication of the volunteers I met. People would start arriving into the affected
areas within days of the disaster, and immediately go to work helping other people.
This is an enormous resource. I think most people around the world would help
their neighbors. However I think the spirit, dedication and sheer magnitude of
this volunteer response is something you won't see outside the United States."
From his perspective, Haaland also said it appears the U.S. government response
does need to be re-examined. "We have all seen the criticism in various
media, and the 'blame-game' is being played out. I don't think anyone can have
an informed opinion until after the operation has been properly examined some
time in the future," he said. "What seems clear is that some people
were left stranded along parts of the coast, and particularly in New Orleans.
However, compared to the enormous damage, and what amounts to the total destruction
of several communities along the coast, the number of casualties, although tragic,
is in my opinion very low."
Contingency planning is difficult worldwide, he said, not just in the United
States. "We also have to bear in mind that a society can only have contingency
plans for scenarios up to some predetermined level. After all, we would all be
safer if we lived in bunkers, but do we really want to?"
Compared to some disasters he has worked, Haaland also felt that security
was was not a huge concern, despite highly televised images of looting and violence. "Security
is almost always a concern in places we work. Although we all read about the
shooting in New Orleans, the overall picture was one of calm and order."
He also said communications were better compared to some other countries in
post-disaster situations. "Communication is usually a problem. But along
the Gulf the mobile networks were up and running after only a few days which
really made it a lot easier. The resources available in terms of goods, services,
logistics and volunteers were outstanding, easily accessible and not really a
bottle neck. This is highly unusual," he said.
Information provided by Susan Kim, Reporter with Disaster
News Network. |
