Reflections on Hurricane Katrina

A new volume of essays edited by Carol De Vita, Senior Research Associate, After Katrina: Shared Challenges for Rebuilding Communities zeros in on recovery efforts in the Gulf Coast region and underscores lessons for rebuilding after future disasters. To be sure, there are signs of progress, but the volume notes that basic infrastructures that can attract and retain residents are still missing. By the start of 2007, only about half of the public schools in New Orleans were open, 30 percent of the childcare centers had returned, and just 17 percent of the buses in the city were back in operation. The volume includes essays on affordable housing, helping children and families rebuild their lives, arts and culture, public and environmental health concerns, rebuilding assets, and preparing for the next disaster.

Other publications in the After Katrina Series include: A collection of essays on ";Charities' Response to Disasters: Expectations and Realities" in which the authors discuss the strengths and weaknesses of charities' respones to the Gulf Coast hurricanes, lessons learned from previous disasters- the September 11th attacks and the Asian Tsunami- and how well those lessons were applied.
Also, an annotated bibliography
The Urban Institute and the Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations organized a national roundtable in Washington to hone in on the policy issues related to the rebuilding of New Orleans. The March 19 policy roundtable hosted by the Urban Institute featured about 40 experts from a wide range of groups tied to disaster response: federal, state, and local offices, practitioners and advocacy groups. The keynote speech was by Walter Isaacson, president of the Aspen Institute and vice-chairman of the Louisiana Recovery Authority. Isaacson challenged nonprofits to step up to the plate to do more to help rebuild New Orleans and\n shape the future of the Gulf Coast region. \Click here for the complete Urban Institute After Katrina series.
Hurricane Katrina Roundtable The Urban Institute and the Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations organized a national roundtable in Washington to hone in on the policy issues related to the rebuilding of New Orleans. The March 19 policy roundtable hosted by the Urban Institute featured about 40 experts from a wide range of groups tied to disaster response: federal, state, and local offices, practitioners and advocacy groups. The keynote speech was by Walter Isaacson, president of the Aspen Institute and vice-chairman of the Louisiana Recovery Authority. Isaacson challenged nonprofits to step up to the plate to do more to help rebuild New Orleans and shape the future of the Gulf Coast region.
Click here for audio of the event.