As we continue to take stock of the damage and destruction caused by three major hurricanes in under a month, I wanted to provide an update on NECHAMA’s responses and thank all of our supporters, volunteers, and staff who have provided extraordinary comfort, compassion, and service in what can only be described as trying times for so many of our neighbors, friends, and family.
Texas – Harvey Response
Our Texas operation continues to work hard assisting storm-affected families in Houston. We have been deployed into the Morningside and Addicks neighborhoods and have assisted 21 homes thus far. We remain committed to trying to remain in Texas for at least 6 months to provide response assistance, and welcome volunteers looking to join us.
Florida – Irma Response
After a monumental task of sourcing and launching a second fleet into Florida, we are now set up in Flagler County – in-between Jacksonville and Daytona Beach on the eastern coast. Volunteer housing has been established and we are in need of volunteers willing to assist us in helping those affected. Our hope is to remain deployed into Florida through the end of the year.
Puerto Rico – Maria
We have received a number of inquiries asking if we are deployed or plan to deploy to the island to assist. At this time, we are not able to deploy and do not have volunteer opportunities to assist. NECHAMA has never been operational outside the lower-48, and as it stands we simply do not have the resources to respond with our operations in Texas and Florida maxing out our capacity. We are continuing to monitor the situation and have conversations with our partners, but any deployment to Puerto Rico will require us to address significant logistical and supply chain issues, volunteer and staff housing issues, and financial issues – making it unlikely we will be able to. That said, there are many international nonprofits well-suited to assist and are already on the ground. NECHAMA will continue to have discussion with them to find ways we may be able to participate.
Thank you for your support!
David Kaplan
Executive Director