8/14/07: Launch Release

August 14, 2007

Contact: Ben Smilowitz – 314-761-7631

Ben@DisasterAccountability.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

NEW DISASTER RESPONSE WATCHDOG GROUP LAUNCHING TODAY

https://disasteraccountability.org to track thousands of post-Katrina recommendations,
“Disaster Accountability Hotline” to publicize gaps in disaster relief services.

Washington, DC: With literally thousands of recommendations to improve the nationís disaster prevention, response, relief and recovery systems since Hurricane Katrina, the public must know what has and has not been done.

The new, non-partisan Disaster Accountability Project provides Accountability and Oversight before, during, and after disasters through monitoring and policy research.

The website will serve as a clearinghouse for the overwhelming number of recommendations and engage the public, disaster response workers, volunteers, and whistleblowers in tracking the progress of each. The recommendations cover policy areas that range from disaster housing, evacuations, mental and physical health services, care for individuals with disabilities, to structural FEMA and Homeland Security issues.

A toll-free hotline (866-9-TIP-DAP) is available for disaster survivors, workers and volunteers to report critical service gaps that must be made public and addressed.

The group is recruiting a network of Disaster Accountability Monitors and Bloggers to help report, verify, and raise awareness about gaps in disaster relief services.

The Disaster Accountability Project is headed by Ben Smilowitz, a former site-manager of a Red Cross Client Service Center in Gulfport, MS and University of Connecticut School of Law student. A growing advisory board is located on the groupís website.

“After Katrina, there was no ‘Whistleblower Hotline.’ Public knowledge about gaps in disaster services will better ensure theyíre addressed quicklyóand made a top priority. Fundraising relief groups cannot be expected to publicize their service gaps and people suffer more without independent oversight,” says Smilowitz. “Billions of dollars have been spent on Homeland Security and our country is still not prepared for another disaster. The public needs to know exactly how ready we are, who is doing their job, whatís been recommended, and whatís been done.”

“The Disaster Accountability Project is desperately needed infrastructure for ensuring that government and non-governmental agencies play an effective role, and do what they say, in preparing for and responding to disasters. We saw the result of not having effective oversight in the aftermath of Katrina and the continued inability of government services to hold themselves accountable. It’s long overdue.” — James Rucker, Executive Director, Color Of Change. ColorOfChange.org is an online organizing effort similar to MoveOn.org consisting of more than 135,000 members focused on amplifying black America’s political voice, and member of DAP’s Advisory Board.

“If the Disaster Accountability Project can have even a modest positive impact on citizen-based, non-partisan oversight, accountability and follow-through for disaster-relief services, it will be worth every cent and every ounce of energy expended. Those impacted by disasters deserve no less.” — Dr. Ray Scurfield, Professor and Director, Katrina Research Center, The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast, Long Beach, Miss., and member of DAP’s Advisory Board.

The website is https://disasteraccountability.org.

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