The Last Best Place: Third World at Home
Not having felt well for the last 24 hours or so I've been fairly glued to the television watching various reports of the destruction following Hurricane Katrina. Words simply cannot convey my true feelings on the destruction I have seen unfold in the past 24 hours.
While living in the third and fourth-world during my service in the Peace Corps I can tell you that that world now exists in parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Thousands of people have died or will die from the public health implications following Katrina, and the number of displaced persons will far surpass the population of the state of Montana.
From an agricultural perspective, I doubt a single corn or soybean crop still exists in eastern LA or all of MS. There are also implications for the rice, cotton, and sugar cane crops in these states as well. As soon as I receive information on how to donate to the rural residents of these areas I'll pass it along in case anyone's interested.
A number of organizations are set up to provide immediate aid and assistance to the displaced. I tend to shy away from giving even a penny to the United Way because the majority always tends to go to administrative costs. The Red Cross is always a good bet, and their donation page can be found here.
Chabad-Lubavitch of Louisiana is also seeking donations to help the 12,000 displaced Jewish residents of New Orleans. For a number of hours Rabbi Rivkin, along with members of his congregation in NOLA, were missing, having stayed behind. They have since been found and have set up a website to assist with donations of money, time, or food. The website can he found here, the donation link here.
A list of other relief organizations can be found at the FEMA website here.
Not having felt well for the last 24 hours or so I've been fairly glued to the television watching various reports of the destruction following Hurricane Katrina. Words simply cannot convey my true feelings on the destruction I have seen unfold in the past 24 hours.
While living in the third and fourth-world during my service in the Peace Corps I can tell you that that world now exists in parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Thousands of people have died or will die from the public health implications following Katrina, and the number of displaced persons will far surpass the population of the state of Montana.
From an agricultural perspective, I doubt a single corn or soybean crop still exists in eastern LA or all of MS. There are also implications for the rice, cotton, and sugar cane crops in these states as well. As soon as I receive information on how to donate to the rural residents of these areas I'll pass it along in case anyone's interested.
A number of organizations are set up to provide immediate aid and assistance to the displaced. I tend to shy away from giving even a penny to the United Way because the majority always tends to go to administrative costs. The Red Cross is always a good bet, and their donation page can be found here.
Chabad-Lubavitch of Louisiana is also seeking donations to help the 12,000 displaced Jewish residents of New Orleans. For a number of hours Rabbi Rivkin, along with members of his congregation in NOLA, were missing, having stayed behind. They have since been found and have set up a website to assist with donations of money, time, or food. The website can he found here, the donation link here.
A list of other relief organizations can be found at the FEMA website here.
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