Five years after Hurricanes Katrina devastated New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, survivors and those working on their behalf say work is far from finished.

Church World Service says that what progress has been made is in great part due to the support, funding and labour of the US faith community and of humanitarian agencies.

"If it weren't for the volunteers and agencies who assisted me, I don't know where I would be," said Gloria Mouton, 62, whose home in New Orleans East was among those repaired by volunteers from across the US during the 2009 CWS Neighborhood New Orleans ecumenical project.

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Filed under: * Christian Life / Church Life • Parish Ministry • Pastoral Care • * Culture-Watch • Charities/Non-Profit Organizations • Hurricane Katrina • Poverty • Religion & Culture

1. Capt. Deacon Warren wrote: There was a clear segmentation in the help which poured into this area after Katrina.  As things began to move, one could observe this segmentation.  The Federal Govt was helpful in the big projects like moving massive quantities of food and water and mass distribution of primative housing. But it was the faith based groups and similar secular groups which connected with individual people and tried to meet specific needs. As time went on, Federal and State governments transitioned to the big infrastructure projects leaving individual help even more in hands of the faith based groups and the professional non-profits. September 2, 5:25 pm | [comment link]

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