Evacuteers Put Poor on High Ground

A terrific volunteer organization has emerged in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. I'd love to hear about similar efforts in disaster-prone areas around the U.S.

Evacuteer.org is a new non-profit in the Crescent City that mobilizes volunteers in preparation for a natural disaster to help the vulnerable evacuate. They serve as translators for non-English speakers; they help the disabled, elderly or households without cars reach evacuation points where they can be transported to safety. They will help with pets, carry bags, and provide food and water for evacuees.

An estimated 100,000 New Orleanians were stranded during the voluntary evacuation of New Orleans pre-Katrina because they lacked access to a vehicle. Evacuteer.org ties into a mobilized effort on the part of the city, state and region to be better prepared for future disasters. It enshrines the strength of collective action, in its vision that "like-minded organizations with volunteer manpower as well as unaffiliated citizen volunteers can coordinate their efforts at a level of effectiveness higher than any could do acting independently."

Sounds familiar to those of us at Change.org, no?  Evacuteer.org is looking for new evacuteers.  Follow them on Twitter - @evacuteer - and consider becoming an emergency coordinator in your own community!  You might even get a cool hardhat and construction vest in the process!

(Photo of evacuees leaving NOLA prior to Hurricane Gustav in August 2008 by Simminch)