Hurricane Helene Disability Response Update

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Posted: September 29, 2024 by admin

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Dear friends of The Partnership, 

Thank you for your ongoing support of our life-saving work providing information, resources, and immediate assistance to disabled people impacted by disasters around the country. 

We are only just beginning to understand the enormity of Hurricane Helene’s devastation. From its landfall on Thursday, September 26th in Florida, to its movement north over the weekend into Georgia, the Carolinas, and Tennessee, it has destroyed whole communities, like Chimney Rock and Lake Lure in North Carolina, and taken out large portions of bridges and roadways, public waterworks, and communications systems. Emergency response operations have been limited by power outages, responders who are unable to report for work due to road closures, and others who were directly affected by the storm.

Every one out of four people in these impacted areas is disabled, and need your help.

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We have been supporting the disability and aging networks in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee with technical assistance and resource coordination as they respond to the needs of the disability and aging communities in their state. 

  • On Wednesday, September 25th, the Florida Independent Living Council (FILC) with the Centers for Independent Living (CILs) in the state activated their daily check in calls to share vital information, coordinate response efforts, and support each other. 
  • On Thursday, September 26th, the South Carolina Partners in Disaster Coalition, led by Able South Carolina activated their daily check in calls with local, state, and national partners to share vital information, coordinate response efforts, and problem solve unmet needs. 
  • On Sunday, September 29th, the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities activated daily check in calls bringing together organizations supporting the disability and aging communities in North Carolina to share information and coordinate response efforts.
  • We are in contact with the Centers for Independent Living in Georgia who are working to meet the needs of the disability community. 
  • We’re also engaging our partners at the Tennessee Statewide Independent Living Council who bring the CILs together to coordinate their response.

Our Disability and Disaster Hotline has been supporting over 50 disabled people impacted by Hurricane Helene since the storm neared the Florida Panhandle, and we plan for an influx of hundreds plus the numerous local partners we support increases our reach exponentially. 

Interacting with callers has helped us establish lines of communication in multiple communities and stay up-to-date with local conditions and unmet needs.

The Disability and Disaster Hotline has helped with:

  • Search and rescue coordination
  • Coordination of oxygen supplies and support
  • Coordination of wellness checks
  • Information and referral resources to shelters and other immediate assistance such as food and water
  • Durable medical equipment replacement 
  • Medicine storage information and support
  • Connecting callers to the local Centers for Independent Living and other disability and aging resources

Your donations help us continue:

  • Our life-saving work through the Disability and Disaster Hotline
  • Supporting the disability and aging networks in their work to help their local disability community 
  • Advocating for the rights and needs of people with disabilities impacted by disasters
  • Filling the gaps in the traditional humanitarian response
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Your support makes our work possible. 

Every cent helps and every share of our work furthers our reach tenfold.

Thank you

English on left, Spanish on right side. [Spanish/español] Inglés a la izquierda, español a la derecha. English description first, español más abajo [English] A background graphic shows a US map with Hurricane Helene making landfall near Petty at 11:10 p.m. as a strong category 4 hurricane. The text over the top of the graphic says: “Disabled, impacted by Hurricane Helene, and need help? Call/text the Partnership's Disability and Disaster Hotline. 800-626-4959 or hotline@disasterstrategies.org. #DisabLedResponse” PIDS logo bottom right. [Español] Una gráfica de fondo muestra un mapa de los E.E. U.U. con el huracán Helene tocando tierra cerca de Perry a las 11:10 a.m. como un huracán fuerte Categoria 4. El texto sobre la parte superior de la gráfica dice: "¿Discapacitade, impactade por el huracán Helene y necesita ayuda? Llame o texteé: la Línea Directa de Discapacidad y Desastres. 800-626-4959 o hotline@disasterstrategies.org. Logotipo de PIDS a la derecha abajo.
The Disability & Disaster Hotline connects disabled disaster survivors and their loved ones with information, resources, and assistance throughout disasters and emergencies.

 

Call / Text: 800-626-4959
Email: hotline@disasterstrategies.org

Category: Disaster Response, Fundraising, Hurricane Relief, News Tags: , , ,

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