Voluntary organizations : FEMA should more fully assess organizations' mass care capabilities and update the Red Cross role in catastrophic events : report to congressional requesters / United States Government Accountability Office.

Format:

Book

Government document

Author/Creator:

United States. Government Accountability Office

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

American Red Cross--Rules and practice.

American Red Cross.

United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency--Rules and practice.

United States.

United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Disaster relief--Government policy--United States.

Disaster relief.

Emergency management--United States.

Emergency management.

Humanitarian assistance.

Non-governmental organizations.

Nonprofit organizations.

Disasters.

Voluntary health agencies.

Disaster Planning.

Relief Work.

Voluntary Health Agencies.

Volunteers.

Organizations.

Organizations, Nonprofit.

nonprofit organizations.

disaster planning.

disasters.

Disaster relief--Government policy.

Medical Subjects:

Disaster Planning.

Disasters.

Relief Work.

Voluntary Health Agencies.

Volunteers.

United States.

Organizations.

Organizations, Nonprofit.

Genre:

Rules

Physical Description:

iii, 83 pages : digital, PDF file

Other Title:

FEMA should more fully assess organizations' mass care capabilities and update the red cross role in catastrophic events : report to congressional requesters

Voluntary organizations in disasters

Place of Publication:

[Washington, D.C.] : U.S. Govt. Accountability Office, [2008]

Summary:

Voluntary organizations have traditionally played a major role in the nation's response to disasters, but the response to Hurricane Katrina raised concerns about their ability to handle large-scale disasters. This report examines (1) the roles of five voluntary organizations in providing mass care and other services, (2) the steps they have taken to improve service delivery, (3) their current capabilities for responding to mass care needs, and (4) the challenges they face in preparing for large-scale disasters. To address these questions, GAO reviewed the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, the Southern Baptist Convention, Catholic Charities USA, and United Way of America; interviewed officials from these organizations and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); reviewed data and laws; and visited four high-risk metro areas--Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and Washington, D.C. GAO recommends that FEMA update and document the Red Cross's role in a catastrophic event, take steps to incorporate voluntary organizations' capabilities in its assessments, and clarify funding guidance for certain disaster preparedness grants. In commenting on the draft report, FEMA agreed with two recommendations, but disagreed with the recommendation to better incorporate voluntary organizations in assessments. We continue to believe such efforts are important for preparedness.

Contents:

Letter

Results in brief

Background

Voluntary organizations are a major source of mass care and other services in disasters and have significant support roles under the national response framework

Voluntary organizations have taken steps to expand coverage and strengthen their service delivery structures

Although early assessments are limited, a worst-case large-scale disaster would likely overwhelm the current ability of major voluntary organizations to provide mass care in four metro locations without government and other assistance

Shortages in personnel, preparedness funding, and connections to government remain a challenge

Conclusions

Recommendations for executive action

Agency comments and our evaluation

Appendix I. Objectives, scope, and methodology

Appendix II. NVOAD members

Appendix III. Comments from DHS

Appendix IV. American Red Cross

Appendix V. GAO contact and staff acknowledgments

Bibliography.

Notes:

Title from title screen (viewed on Sept. 18, 2008).

"September 2008."

Includes bibliographical references (page 81).

"GAO-08-823."

OCLC:

252768566