Note: UBBC is one of the partner congregations in Churches Supporting Churches. Our sister church is St. John Baptist in New Orleans.

ANNIVERSARIES, GUSTAV, AND THE SEARCH FOR JUSTICE, Sept. 11, 2008

August 29 was the third anniversary of the immense destruction wrought by Hurricane Katrina upon the Gulf Coast. Even as survivors dealt with the emotional toll of that anniversary, they also faced the imminent arrival of Hurricane Gustav. Nearly 2 million people evacuated in advance of Gustav, many bearing immense emotional and financial strain in doing so. Those who have been able to return to their homes have faced numerous challenges including massive power outages and business closures while others remain stranded in the cities to which they evacuated.

We offer our sincere gratitude to all those who have held us in their thoughts and prayers in recent days. We ask for your continued prayer even as we pray for people in other places who are being and will be affected by other storms.

While the eyes of the nation are again focused on weather emergencies, we wish to speak once more to the on-going realities faced by this region's residents. It is our strong belief that the American people care deeply for one another and wish to be of aid to sisters and brothers in time of need, just as they hope for aid and care in their own time of need. Government policy and actions should reflect and encourage these values. Yet too often, policy makers fail to make decisions in keeping with our best values as can be seen in the realities below:

Originally, FEMA announced that the federal government would not provide financial assistance to Gulf Coast Gustav evacuees, but instead would rely upon NGOs such as the Red Cross to provide food, shelter, and 'comfort.' Due to strong public response, FEMA later announced it would make disaster aid available to those affected by Gustav. It should be assumed when the government encourages or orders residents to evacuate that direct financial assistance will be made available to those who need it. Often, it is the poorest members of society, those least able to afford the extra expenses of evacuation, who are most vulnerable to storms. Funds set aside through taxpayer provisions should be immediately provided to help those who have been displaced through no fault of their own.

It has been widely reported and is our personal experience that many Gustav evacuees, especially the poor and people of color, were directed to inadequately-supplied shelters and/or were treated with extreme disrespect. It should be assumed that the shelters made available to people and the treatment they receive should not be based on their race, income level, citizenship status, or other such factors.

It is also widely-reported and is also our personal experience that those who self-evacuate are often subject to discriminatory practices on the road, such as being required to pay for lodging several nights in advance and often in cash. It should be assumed that evacuees will be treated fairly and that those indulging in price-gouging and other discriminatory practices be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

Much of the continuing threat to the Gulf Coast in general and the city of New Orleans in particular is not due to the ravages of nature itself but to failures in preparation and protection and deeply misguided public policies. The threats should be addressed immediately through such measures as the rebuilding of all levees to withstand a Category Five hurricane (Hurricane Katrina was only Category Three when it passed over New Orleans), the closing of the Mississippi River to Gulf Outlet (MRGO), and the restoration of the wetlands along the Gulf Coast.
Promises made to assist Gulf Coast residents to rebuild their communities and their lives have not been kept as can be seen in such realities as the average gap of $35,000 between Road Home monies received and the actual costs of rebuilding, the near-absence of affordable rental housing, the extreme shortage of basic services, and the lack of progress in addressing serious underlying social and environmental issues. Immediate, sustained, and substantial efforts are needed now to fulfill the promises made and make it possible for the region and its citizens to rebuild. For instance, passing policy based on the Gulf Coast Civic Works Act would allow for a resident-led partnership to rebuild vital public infrastructure, restore the environment, and create good jobs and economic opportunities for residents and returning displaced families to help create stronger, safer, and more equitable communities. This and other actions that make just rebuilding possible must be a priority at all levels of government.

Hurricane Gustav is a blow but not to our resolve to recover in a Godly and just way. We will continue our work to recreate a great city and a great region. We ask the support of all in advocating for specific, immediate, and significant actions that will support and enable this recreation.

Disaster Response & Brethren Service Center