Since September 14th, IRT has been providing continuous medical services for victims of Hurricane Katrina in Mississippi. IRT has concentrated its efforts on the coast between Gulfport and Pass Christian. "Our mission is to maintain the health of hundreds of families in the devastated region" stated IRT executive director, Barry La Forgia. IRT will continue to rotate medical teams into the region through November.
IRT has also provided substantial assistance to storm victims in Louisiana. Within 48 hours after the disaster, IRT's Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) of 30 medical volunteers arrived at New Orleans' Louis Armstrong airport, where they spent nearly two weeks treating 800-1,000 evacuees a day -- those being rescued by boats and helicopters from the flooded city. IRT also delivered more than $160,000 in medicines and supplies to hospitals and medical centers in critical need of re- supply in St. Charles and Jefferson parishes near New Orleans.
During this disaster, IRT has collaborated with many agencies, including Alcorn State University School of Nursing, MAP International, Volunteers of America (VOA), and United Methodist Committee On Relief (UMCOR).
IRT will soon begin sending skilled volunteer construction teams to help poor and elderly homeowners, who do not have adequate insurance or other financial resources to repair or rebuild their homes on their own. If you have construction skills (handyman or higher) and would like to be considered for a one-week deployment, please click here to submit a volunteer application.
Your help is needed so that we can continue to assist the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Please click here to make your secure donation, or send it to International Relief Teams, c/o Hurricane Katrina Relief, 3547 Camino Del Rio South, Suite C, San Diego, CA 92108