NGOs Step Up for Louisiana Recovery

Flooding in Louisiana has given responding nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) a complex situation to address, with deep needs in the areas of housing, education and childcare, healthcare, and business recovery. Even as some of their own buildings were damaged and their staff affected, our dedicated and tireless NGO partners have risen to the challenge. We admire their grit and want to let you see how they are helping Louisiana recover through their own photos and videos.
Though the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank was flooded, they quickly managed their own damages and have begun helping their community.
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Save the Children opened four child-friendly spaces at three different evacuation centers in Baton Rouge, providing children with access to structured play and other activities, as well as psychosocial support, under the direction of trained facilitators. The child friendly spaces offer children a safe place to play while giving parents time to care for themselves and flood related business. Save the Children manages the eight Head Start early childhood development programs in Louisiana and have been working to reach affected families through these centers. Save the Children’s emergency preparedness team is also collaborating with Louisiana’s Child Care Resource and Referral agency on damage assessments to child care centers in Baton Rouge and several nearby parishes.
The local Salvation Army buildings were also severely flooded, but many of its employees went to work right after the floods, continuing to help those who are affected. The Salvation Army also mobilized regional resources, and disaster relief teams have provided canteens (mobile feeding units), clean up kits/hygiene kits, and support personnel to the affected areas.
All Hands Volunteers launched its Louisiana project in Denham Springs. So far, 88 volunteers have responded, providing more than 1,000 volunteer labor hours to muck and gut homes in the area.
Visit our Louisiana floods disaster profile for a longer list of NGOs working hard to help those affected by this disaster.