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Homeland Security Won't Let Red Cross Deliver Food
While emergency shelters typically empty out days after a hurricane or other natural disaster, in Katrina’s case they are becoming more crowded, Hosler said. People who had evacuated to the homes of relatives or hotels are moving in because they’re out of money or want to be closer to what is left of their homes.
[Posted By ShiftShapers]Republished from Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
As the National Guard delivered food to the New Orleans convention center yesterday, American Red Cross officials said that federal emergency management authorities would not allow them to do the same.
Other relief agencies say the area is so damaged and dangerous that they doubted they could conduct mass feeding there now.
“The Homeland Security Department has requested and continues to request that the American Red Cross not come back into New Orleans,” said Renita Hosler, spokeswoman for the Red Cross.
“Right now access is controlled by the National Guard and local authorities. We have been at the table every single day [asking for access]. We cannot get into New Orleans against their orders.”
Calls to the Department of Homeland Security and its subagency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, were not returned yesterday.
Though frustrated, Hosler understood the reasons. The goal is to move people out of an uninhabitable city, and relief operations might keep them there. Security is so bad that she fears feeding stations might get ransacked.
“It’s not about fault and blame right now. The situation is like an hourglass, and we are in the smallest part right now. Everything is trying to get through it,” she said. “They’re trying to help people…
Posted by ShiftShapers
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