NEWS
Katrina aid continues in Dane County
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by Lynn Heidmann
Monday, September 26, 2005
City officials in Dane County have worked together with the American Red Cross since Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast to provide shelter and resources to at least 220 evacuees in the county, 40 in Madison alone, according to Jane Richardson, director of community development for the Badger Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Richardson said the local government has been involved, but because the number of evacuees in Madison is relatively small, the American Red Cross took much of the responsibility in providing aid and shelter to victims.
George Twigg, the mayor's spokesperson, said there was no large-scale relocation of evacuees to Madison but the city will continue to follow the direction of the Red Cross in the care of Katrina victims.
The Red Cross and other organizations have on-site representatives in the south who know better than city officials what kind of aid is beneficial and what kind of help and donations the people of Madison can provide, Twigg added.
Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk said in a release that organizations like the Red Cross would handle evacuees' needs more effectively than county officials could without guidance.
"We grieve for all the people who have been affected by this horrible tragedy," Falk said. "We are working with state and federal officials to determine what aid is needed and available. We think we can be most helpful if we respond to specific requests from organizations in the field in Louisiana and Mississippi."
Twigg said because the city channels most of the aid through nonprofit organizations and local hospitals, the cost to the city for housing hurricane victims remains low.
Twigg added he is unsure how many more evacuees will come to Madison as a result of Hurricane Rita.
Richardson asserted that no matter how many victims come to the city or county, the Red Cross will be prepared to handle the situation.
"That's what the Red Cross is trained to do," Richardson said. "We're ready."
According to Richardson, the Red Cross has agreements with at least 200 facilities in the area that would be able to provide shelter if needed. The Badger Chapter already has 27 trained volunteers on site in New Orleans to determine what Dane County can do to assist victims, Richardson added. Falk said Dane County would do anything necessary to help.
"We are eager to help [the victims]," Falk said. "We are working in a coordinated, organized way to prepare to welcome any of those who were affected by the hurricane."
Twigg said for now, the best Madison and Dane County can do is be prepared and do anything possible to help get the lives of evacuees back on track.
"[M]adison is going to do its part to support the families who have literally lost everything," Mayor Dave Cieslewicz said in a release. "Although we do not know how or when our community will be called to assist these families, we will be prepared to get [the victims] the help they need to get back on their feet."
