Hello,

It has been two weeks since Hurricane Ida made landfall and we would like to update you on what's been going on in the chapter and ways you can connect. You can also join us in our members-only Slack workspace or email us directly at [email protected]

Before the storm, the chapter worked with a running spreadsheet from a hurricane questionnaire form sent out to members who would like to be contacted in the event of a hurricane as well as those who were seeking or offering resources.

72 hours after the hurricane, respondents to the hurricane questionnaire were contacted. Local Council began contacting all members via text message on Wednesday, September 1st to identify any members in need, and coordinate volunteers for aid work

A text hotline set up for direct response and aid coordination. Local DSA members were able to connect individuals looking for evacuation with members leaving the city. The textline was necessary as communication via phone and email was largely unreliable. As members began returning, individual members were able to raise funds and bring thousands of dollars worth of supplies back into the city. Members outside of the city were able to direct deliveries to distribution sites.

Members on the ground coordinated supply donations and began doing fixed site and mobile distribution to Central City (A.L Davis Park), Treme (under the Claiborne bridge), as well as to unhoused people along Calliope from Tchoupitoulas Street to Simon Bolivar Avenue.

Food distribution began September 4th in partnership with NOLA Ready to provide 250 hot meals a day as well as cold drinks and fruit. Food distribution ended on Friday, September 10th as the city would no longer provide meals but we’re working on finding alternative sources to continue.

Supply distribution pivoted to the surrounding area including Dulac, Houma, and Lafitte as well as individual members working in collaboration with MADR and SWLA DSA to provide supplies as well as roofing services in the outlying areas.

DSA has begun logistical coordination of a generator donation program to move generators donated by New Orleanians to the surrounding parishes and down the bayou. Generators will come with gas, CO2 detectors, and supplies to keep things running smoothly and safely. If you would like to donate your generator, contact us to arrange a pick up and we will transport it to those still without power and limited resources!

These actions do not account for the countless informal ways individual members have found ways to directly aid neighbors across the city and throughout our region. We are immensely grateful to our members and non-members alike who pulled together to provide support to one another.