Hurricane Irene – ICNA Relief at Work – Charity Begins at Home!

ICNA Relief USA Has Established a $100,000 Disaster Response Fund for Families Impacted by Hurricane Irene

– FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –

JAMAICA, New York (August 28, 2011) – ICNA Relief Head Office unveils a broad plan in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene.

In the early response phase Points of Distribution (PODs) are being set up in cooperation with the local Islamic Centers along the Hurricane Path.

Beyond a hurricane warning, the New York area is also under a flood watch through late Sunday night. A major worry in New York City is the possibility of flooding with high tide.

Depending on the needs in the affected area and of availability of resources, plans are underway to provide the following services. This plan will be implemented once the circumstances permits access to these areas:

Information and referrals to services needed to recover
Debris removal (removing water soaked furniture and damaged household contents)
Chain saw crews (to remove downed trees from damaged homes)
Muck out teams (pull out wet carpet, sheetrock and insulation, remove 4-8 feet of sheet rock)
Tarping (High winds remove shingles and water/rain would severely increase the damage of houses. Installing large blue plastic sheets on roofs, “tarping”, prevents this.)
Emotional, spiritual, and physical care (supports the mental, spiritual and physical conditions worsened by stressful circumstances)
Case Management (working with disaster impacted families and individuals to assist, support, and guide them through established federal/state/local governmental programs and faith-based disaster assistance programs)
ICNA Relief USA is the major Muslim organization in US in the field of disaster relief. We have partnered with FEMA and American Red Cross, NYDIS, VOADs in multiple states, CCUSA, LSSDR, NECHAMA, APPNA, MSA, local Islamic Centers, and others to help disaster impacted families/individuals during their time of need. Because of their efforts and experience (Alhumdulillah), ICNA Relief USA has earned a reputation of respect amongst disaster related agencies at all levels. ICNA Relief has put all of its resources nationwide on alert in order to reach out for those who are in need. We will implement our Disaster Response Plan in a timely manner, working in synergy within the established disaster structure.

ICNA Relief, a national Muslim organization, has responded to many disasters across the United States in the recent past. ICNA Relief USA is the only Muslim organization which partnered in the federally funded Disaster Case Management Grants: in the LRC (Louisiana Recovery Consortium) following Hurricane Gustav, and the pilot project RISE (Recovery of Ike Survivors Enterprise) in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike. Currently, ICNA Relief USA has been invited by FEMA and awarded federal funds to provide disaster recovery case management services, mentorship, and long term recovery guidance in Alabama following recent devastating tornadoes.

ICNA Relief strongly encourages volunteers to register on-line at www.icnarelief.org. In order to harness the full potential of their talent with a vision to strengthen the local communities, ICNA Relief’s trained and experienced Disaster Response Team members directly support volunteer activities, while assigning them to jobs where they feel the satisfaction of time well spent. We need your support for these efforts. Please donate generously to provide relief to those in need.

ICNA Relief Disaster Relief Services
www.icnarelief.org
Phone: 718-658-7028, Fax: 718-658-3036