DISASTER AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE

Project Overview

In January 2005, the EJRC launched a major research, policy, and outreach initiative on “Legacy of Unfairness: Response to Public Health Emergencies Affecting African Americans and the Implications for Implementing An Effective, Just, and Equitable Homeland Security Strategy.” In May 2005, preliminary work on this initiative was presented at the Conference of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU), Community Action and Response Against Toxics (CARAT) Team annual conference held in Phoenix, Arizona. Staff members were assembling natural disasters case studies when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.

To view a sample of work products from the EJRC’s Emergency Response Initiative, please click HERE.

KATRINA GULF COAST INITIATIVE

During the entire month of September of 2005, the EJRC served as a communication and command center for many of the New Orleans area organizations and institutions since the 504 and 225 area code were knocked out by the storm and many of the buildings in the region were under water. EJRC staff also assisted the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice at Dillard (formerly at Xaiver University), a center in which we have several joint-funded projects such the our NIEHS Minority Worker Training and Brownfields Training Program, set up temporary offices at Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA.

The EJRC’s Katrina project targets low-income and people of color Katrina survivors, leaders, organizations, institutions, and communities to assist them build solidarity around issues of equity. The center undertakes out research, public policy analysis, community outreach, technical assistance, education and training, information dissemination, and publication under this project. The project utilizes a multidisciplinary sector approach of environmental justice, smart growth, transportation justice, equitable development, and healthy communities scholars, researchers, practitioners, and activists to identify and develop a research, policy, legislative, and action agenda” for addressing key problems created and or exacerbated by Hurricane Katrina, i.e., environmental contamination, waste management, toxic exposure, transportation, access to jobs, uneven metropolitan growth, spatial mismatch, and sprawl-driven development.

To view a sample of work products from the EJRC’s Katrina Gulf Coast Initiative, please click HERE.

To view a list of articles and resources on race and Hurricane Katrina, please click HERE.