Other Disaster Recovery Links

Sustainable development extends beyond the technologies and practices of energy efficiency, pollution prevention, and natural resource protection. The health and resiliency of social support systems, families, and local economies are also vital to creating and maintaining sustainable communities. The resources below can offer critical recovery information and assistance to families, agencies, and organizations in your community:

AIA Center of Communities by Design
A project of the American Institute of Architects that helps members work with citizens and other stakeholders to envision and create more livable communities. The Sustainable Design Assessment Team (SDAT) Program is a community assistance program that focuses on the principles of sustainability. SDATs will bring a team of volunteer professionals (such as architects, urban designers, planners, hydrologists, economists, attorneys, and others) to work with community decision-makers and stakeholders to help them develop a vision and framework for a sustainable future. Applications for 2006 SDATs must be received at the AIA by 5 pm on January 6, 2006.

American Red Cross Disaster Services
Aims to provide excellence in nationwide disaster planning, preparedness, community disaster education, mitigation, and response. Disaster services include sheltering and feeding, individual family assistance, health and mental health, and contacting family members.

Community Action Partnership
The national organization representing the interests of the 1,000 Community Action Agencies working to fight poverty at the local level has established Operation: Unity Relief as a coordinated effort to provide ongoing relief to victims of the recent hurricanes on the Gulf Coast.

Disaster Relief
Aims to help disaster victims and the disaster relief community worldwide by facilitating the exchange of information on the Internet. Provides a range of services -- updates on current disasters, "disaster-ready" information and suggestions, a library of disaster recovery and prevention resources, a forum for discussion on disaster topics and events, and press releases on current and past disasters.

Disaster Response Network — American Psychological Association
Provides free, onsite, mental health services to disaster survivors and the relief workers who assist them.

Emergency Preparedness Information Exchange (EPIX)
Facilitates the exchange of ideas and information among Canadian and international public and private sector organizations about disaster prevention, preparation, recovery, and mitigation. Offers links and information on wide range of disaster topics.

Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN)
Provides Extension Services throughout the U.S. with access to resources on disaster preparedness, recovery, and mitigation that will enhance their short- and long-term programming efforts.

FEMA
Offers a wealth of on-line disaster mitigation and recovery information relevant to homeowners, communities, building professionals, and businesses, including Rebuilding for a More Sustainable Future An Operational Framework and Planning for a Sustainable Future: The Link Between Hazard Mitigation and Livability.

Mennonite Disaster Service
Offers a volunteer response service to assist elderly and disabled disaster victims with the clean up, repair, and rebuilding of homes.

Model Guidelines For Incorporating Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Into State Energy Emergency Plan
These model guidelines can serve as a planning guide for state and local emergency planners. It is intended to supplement existing energy emergency management plans.

National Science and Technology Council's Subcommittee on Natural Disaster Reduction (SNDR)
Works to create a sustainable society that is resilient to natural hazards. Comprised of representatives from Federal government agencies addressing natural hazards from the points of view of assessment, mitigation, and warning.

National Trust for Historic Preservation
The National Trust is offering a special page of Hurricane Katrina resources, including news and reports from the field, information on legislative action related to preservation of buildings, volunteer opportunities, reference publications, and links to information sources on restoration and preservation.

Natural Hazards Center — University of Colorado, Boulder
Provides a clearinghouse for information on natural hazards and human adjustments to hazards and disasters. Provides periodicals and publications on natural hazards, including Holistic Disaster Recovery: Ideas for Building Local Sustainability After a Natural Disaster, and the Natural Hazards Observer. Offers an annual workshop, conducts research, and maintains a natural hazard library.

New Orleans Rebuild Green
A community-supported effort focusing on green building technology, renewable energy, mass transit systems, and green community development that empowers local people to take control of their local resources in the rebuilding of New Orleans.

Planning for Disaster Debris (PDF)
EPA Office of Solid Waste publication offers information to help communities prepare for and recover more quickly from the increased solid waste generated by a natural disaster. Provides 5 case studies of communities that have experienced major disaster.

Planning for Enduring Communities: Integrating Disaster-Resistance with Sustainability
A slideshow prepared for Sustainable Communities 2004 by Shubha Shrivastava of URS, and engineering design firm. The slideshow includes useful information on sustainable disaster recovery and mitigation.

Post-Disaster Green Reconstruction Forum
A mailing list for discussing strategies and projects for rebuilding after disasters such as Hurricane Katrina, with a companion website that posts documents and events.

Rebuilding Community International
A non-profit organization that applies a sustainable approach to disaster recovery. Recently opened a field office in Sri Lanka to launch a pilot program focusing on sustainable re-development following the December 2004 tsunami.