Mayor's update to employees on the City's response to Hurricane Katrina

09/07/05

Dear Friends,

In the last week, we have all watched the Gulf Coast states struggle to respond to the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina. Now that some of the evacuees may soon be housed in Washington state, the desire to give assistance has been redoubled.

HOW TO HELP

There are many City employees who have skills that are needed in hurricane-affected areas. City department directors are identifying ways to allow those employees to provide their specialized services, such as shelter management and logistical support.

The first step in this process is to identify the skills and services we have available in each department and to coordinate our offer of support. Department directors are developing a citywide list of people and skills, and will work with Barb Graff, Director of Emergency Management, to coordinate with the state. If you would are interested in volunteering for relief efforts in the Gulf Coast area, please contact your department director about your interest and what specific skill or service you can provide.

Many employees have expressed a desire to cash out and donate some of their vacation leave to aid agencies. We are drafting legislation to allow this, and will send it to the City Council by Monday, September 12.

In the meantime, we continue to hear from the relief organizations that cash donations are preferred. As evacuees move around the country and relief work continues in the Gulf Coast, cash allows for the greatest flexibility in meeting the needs of those displaced by the hurricane.

The City will be sponsoring a Day of Giving next week, on Thursday, September 15, between 10 a.m.-4 p.m.. There will be giving stations throughout the city.

Relief agencies include:

www.redcross.org: call (800) HELP NOW or visit www.seattleredcross.org. At least 91 percent of earmarked donations will be used for hurricane relief services. The Red Cross will also be assisting any evacuees who come to Washington state and they also are helping connect families who have been separated by the disaster.

www.secondharvest.org - "America's Food Bank" has pledged to use 100% of earmarked donations for hurricane relief services.

www.nwmedicalteams.org - NW Medical Teams are supporting the affected areas; 96% of their donations benefit their relief services.

www.mercycorps.org - Their focus will be to assist families who have been displaced and/or lost their homes to Katrina; 92% of their donations benefit their relief services.

www.habitat.org - Habitat for Humanity International will be helping to provide assistance and rebuilding opportunities in New Orleans and the rest of the Gulf Coast.

If you have housing, clothing, non-perishable food, or other goods and services that you would like to offer, the State of Washington has set up a hotline and information clearinghouse. They are also encouraging donors Washington Cares Fund, in collaboration with Washington Mutual. You can give at any WaMu branch office.

For more information, call the Operation Evergreen Community Support Line at 1-800-941-2930.

QUESTIONS OF COMMUNITY

As a nation and as a city, we have met this disaster with a mix of emotions -- fear, grief, even anger. We have great concerns about this disaster and the local and national response to it.

In conversations with city employees and Seattle residents, everyone appears to be struggling with the same questions of how to help. All of us want to do more. I will keep you informed about what is needed, how the City is helping, and what you can do.

But this disaster, and the response to it, also raises other issues. Many of the victims of this tragedy are African-American and poor. At the national and the local level, there are concerns that the emergency response has been influenced by the race and economic class of the victims.

These are fair questions to ask, and they raise issues that are worthy of consideration at the highest and the closest levels of government.

When I took office, I began the Race and Social Justice Initiative for just this purpose: to ensure that Seattle’s response to any Seattle resident is not shaped by that individual’s race or economic status. We’ve made strides toward recognizing the inequality that exists both in our government and our city, and in identifying ways to address this inequality.

But more work needs to be done and we must discuss these issues with each other in an open and respectful environment. As we reflect upon the incidents in New Orleans and on the Gulf Coast, we should also examine our own decisions and look for opportunities to make Seattle a safer, more prepared and equitable city for all residents.

As coverage of Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath continues, let’s also remember that many of our fellow City employees have friends and family in the Gulf region who have been affected and are not yet accounted for. Please be supportive of your co-workers and their families as they experience a personally trying time.

If you would like to be more involved in the Race and Social Justice Initiative, or would like to help Seattle be more prepared in case of emergency, please work with your supervisor or department head. Working together, we can make Seattle a more equitable community.

Sincerely,

GREG NICKELS
Mayor