thePurchase
INDEPENDENT
279
DECEMBER
14th 2012
NEW YORKERS LEFT DISAPPOINTED BY DISASTER RELIEF by stephanie spencer Since Hurricane Sandy, organizations such as the Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency have found themselves in hot water as communities begin to notice questionable behavior regarding financial priorities. One of the most recognized relief organizations around the world, the Red Cross, has provided disaster relief for many countries. Primarily focused on rebuilding communities that have been stricken by natural disasters, New Yorkers expected them to be one of the first responders when Hurricane Sandy barreled through the East Coast, devastating many homes and communities. Instead, many residents felt as if the Red Cross’s efforts were lackluster. In an interview with The Gothamist, Bushwick resident Neanna Bodycomb was perplexed at the Red Cross’s lack of effort to develop shelters for those left homeless since the storm, believing that they have more than enough money to donate to Smallwater, the local shelter. “The island needs a shelter, the fact that there’s not a shelter is crazy,” said Bodycomb. “On the 13th or 14th day after the storm, the family that lives next to [Smallwater] was living without heat or power, and they decided to go to a shelter. The closest one was in Nassau County, but when they got there, they were told it was shutting down because there wasn’t enough need. I feel like there’s a lot of ways they could be helping- they’re the Red Cross.” The community was additionally disappointed in the Red Cross’s delayed delivery of food, saying that most of the food trucks arrived at 4pm, when many people were heading home. However, according to the Red Cross, they have received $170 million in pledges since the storm struck, using 7.5 million to distribute food and blankets to the communities. Purchase senior, Michelle Trahey, faced Sandy’s devastation firsthand when her Breezy Point home was left in shambles. “Each time I’ve been home I’ve looked out to see where the Red Cross has been,” said Trahey.
“I’ve only seen them drive around in perfect white trucks and cars. The most I’ve heard they done in the Rockaways at all is give out peanut butter and jelly sandwiches weeks after the hurricane had hit.” The Red Cross has responded to these various concerns, explaining that the organization doesn’t typically work with first responders. “We’re not first responders, so we don’t send our people into an area that could be heavily impacted,” said Red Cross communications Director for the New York region, Sam Kille, according to WNYC.com. They continued by saying that the Red Cross steps in sooner during natural disasters when the country doesn’t have a strong government presence, like when Haiti experienced it’s earthquake. “Its not been a perfect response, but we’re very proud of the response we’ve had,” continued Kille. “This is the biggest response we’ve had in five years as an organization.”