Thought you might find this interesting….there are numbers in here that EVERYONE should be aware of…

Rich

Press Release

September 8, 2005

Contact: Public Liaison Office 202-282-8797

HIGHLIGHTS OF UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO THE
AFTERMATH OF HURRICANE KATRINA

Federal support to state and local officials and
volunteer organizations continues around the clock in
effort to save lives, sustain life, and assist with
law enforcement operations in areas affected by
Hurricane Katrina. The following facts highlight some
of the important activities as of 2 p.m.:

Lives Saved (rescues performed)
47,300

Shelters
750
People housed in shelters
235,200

FEMA responders
7,500

U.S. Coast Guard personnel
4,000

National Guard personnel
45,000

Active Duty Military
19,000

MREs provided (meals)
17 million

Water provided (liters)
37.4 million

§ The Federal Emergency Management Agency is
implementing a new assistance delivery tool by issuing
debit cards to the thousands of evacuees at the
Houston Astrodome. Currently, the amount of money
being distributed through the expedited assistance
program is $2,000 per household.

§ The Department of Health and Human Services
has a toll-free hotline for people in crisis in the
aftermath of this disaster. People in crisis are urged
to call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). Callers will
receive counseling from trained staff who will listen
and assist in getting the mental health help callers
need.

§ Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao, Treasury
Secretary John W. Snow, Commerce Secretary Carlos M.
Gutierrez and Social Security Commissioner Jo Anne B.
Barnhart will travel to Texas, Louisiana and Alabama
on Friday to assess both near-term and long-term
economic needs of the Gulf Coast region, and discuss
assistance available to individuals and small
businesses in the region.

§ U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary
Mike Johanns announced today that more than $170
million in emergency assistance is available to
agricultural producers suffering from Hurricane
Katrina.

§ Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales met
with Department of Justice personnel today in the
affected area to discuss relief and anti-fraud law
enforcement efforts. Justice is leading a task force
with FBI and the Federal Trade Commission to
investigate disaster-related fraud crimes such as
insurance fraud and charity fraud.

Jason Kingsley, CEM