About ADREF

The African Disaster relief fund was incorporated in September as a nonprofit 501(c)(3)- service provider organization. It was established primarily to provide emergent services to the survivors of Hurricane Katrina. Since its incorporation, ADREF has grown in scope, providing more services to the community as needs arise. ADREF always strives to search for new and better venues to help victims of natural and artificial disasters integrate with other communities, as well as with the mainstream population. ADREF is committed to excellence in community service, professional development, and cultural awareness: Our focus is to respond quickly and effectively to disasters through a development of highly trained disaster response volunteers. Through the provision of the following:

1. Relevant Assistance
2. Relief Assistance
3. Medical Services
4. Crisis Counseling and intervention
5. An Accommodation and other services within the organization’s reach

On average, over 62,000 people a year are killed by natural disasters, Of those killed, a disproportionate number were from vulnerable communities in developing nations in Africa. Over the past decade, more than 2 billion people have been affected by natural disasters and this number is expected to increase as populations densities rise and more people are forced to live in disaster prone areas.

The ADREF is committed to helping vulnerable people in Africa and around the globe with relief supply distribution (including food, shelter materials, and hygiene essentials), water and sanitation services, and re-establishment of family links. We are also committed to implement disaster preparedness programs to create more resilient communities with decreased dependence on external assistance. The ADREF works with a worldwide network of partners that includes national and international societies to ensure consistency in local and international disaster response operations that are undertaken.

Vision
Mission
Objectives
Approach
2005 Activities
Bye-Laws

1. ADREF sees Africans and its allies as beacons of hope to distressed individuals and families in time of disasters.
2. ADREF shall play a significant role in relieving the hardship of disaster victims
3. ADREF shall make Africans to be seen and reckoned with as relief providers in time of human critical needs.

To prevent, prepare, and respond to disaster, humanitarian emergencies, and life threatening health condition in Africa and around the world.

• Play a prominent and significant role in assisting the victims of the Hurricane Katrina
• Identify specific areas of need and select specific areas where our impact could be felt
• Assist the victims through network of resources available in our community with emphasis on “Volunteerism”
• Strategically use the opportunity to demonstrate Africans as “Givers” and not “Takers”

• Establish an alliance of all African political religious, professional, and ethnic groups
• Discourage individual organization from providing uncoordinated assistance
• Emphasis on “Team” Concept
• Create a common ground for diverse opinions based on background and experience
• Mobilize at least 10 volunteers from participating organizations
• Identify potential opportunities as well as threats

The ADREF in collaboration with the Vietnamese society, and Alliance provided emergent services to the victims of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita, many families were left devastated in the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Texas at the Multi-Ethnic Community Center. The Center has been serving as an information resource center for the evacuees. Information regarding disaster relief and public assistance is also made available at our Website. In addition, ADREF is also assisting hurricane victims with online registration for FEMA assistance. ADREF also provides health screenings for the community, including hurricane victims. The disaster relief efforts would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of all the collaborative staff and volunteers, who have worked overtime to meet the needs of the large numbers of evacuees. Averages of 250 people were fed daily since September 2005.

1. Information Resource Center for evacuees:
   Call-ins: Health assistance = 2238
   Walk-ins: Housing assistance = 563
2. Online FEMA registration assistance
   905 evacuees in 7 weeks
3. Feeding
   200 evacuees including volunteers/day x 35days (in 7 weeks)
   Total Number of People Served: 9801 (in 7 weeks)