Question

Specific to shelter, housing, and relocation, in what ways did the Red Cross use the 6 Core Tasks of Case Management with clients during the Katrina Emergency? In what ways – if any – did they fail to follow those guidelines?

Engagement

Assessment

Planning/goal setting

Intervention

Monitoring and Coordination

Termination

Answer 1

Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast of the United States, it had a category 3 ratings it did a great damage its aftermath was catastrophic. Katrina led to massive flooding. Many people were displaced from their homes in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. New Orleans was badly affected. New Orleans, poor people were more vulnerable. Majority of them were black poor.

The US received International aid and assistance from numerous countries. The federal government of George Bush was slow in granting aids.

The Red Cross is a voluntary humanitarian organization to help families and their lives and entire communities to stand on their feet after a disaster or natural calamities.

The Red Cross was criticized because it had received large sum as the donation of approximately $1 billion. They were chaotic and inequitable in handling the situation as it was the largest disaster on the US soil. The Red Cross after having a large amount as aid $1 and $1.1 billion that was raised by Red Cross itself and $200 million as aid. The Red Cross did not use this fund for sheltering rather earmarked to prepare for future crises. The Red Cross society was following their traditional rule that was not suitable for disaster at such a scale.

Many people were mentally affected due to the losses. The society of the black community was asking the Red Cross to work in a coalition as they are more aware of the local situation, many people were homeless. The Red Cross failed to provide shelter to all the affected people.

There were complains about engagement as was contended by black activists that the Red Cross is focusing on white areas and neglecting the black areas'

There was the problem in getting assistance on hotline telephone numbers provided by them.

People had difficulty in getting funds from the Red Cross for building their houses. as it was not channeled properly.

The fact was it had left 2000 people dead and nearly 90000 square miles of an area was affected.

In fact, Red Cross with the help of their 170000 workers had helped the Katrina victims by housing nearly half a million people in hotels and shelters

It has recruited more workers and trained them and processing about 35000 claims a day.

As the disaster was of a large scale for the first two days they were unable to cope with it. Then within 48 hours thousands of blankets and coots were provided to shelter houses by the Red Cross.

To estimate and overcome this type of disaster requires time and patience. But the affected people do require help and protection for their health shelter and safety so there are all the chances that criticism will come.