Hurricane Irma. Sit Awareness. Sept 2017 Prepare NOW for future weather events in September

To our members and friends in the Caribbean, Southern and Eastern Seaboard Region.

Situation:

Hurricane Irma is currently a Category 3 Hurricane located in the eastern Atlantic Ocean with forecast to become a Category 4 Hurricane by Tuesday, September 5th. While the forecast is uncertain, current projected timeframes for a Tropical Storm force winds affecting Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands as early as Wednesday, September 6^th 2017.

Review individual, family, and community emergency plans.\

Ensure emergency kits are stocked, and as recommended include a 

         personal water purification kit.

Follow instructions of local emergency management office\agency,

If you have family members in the regions that may be instructed

         establish a communications\contact system NOW

For additional information on storm tracking review you local MASS NOTIFICATION SYSEM in place in your jurisdiction, and review National Weather Service reports.

BEMA International

Sept 2017. Rumors, Misinformation, Fraud

Main Content

FEMA Advises Disaster Applicants to Beware of Rumors, Misinformation, and Fraud

Release date: 

August 31, 2017

Release Number: 

HQ-17-076

WASHINGTON - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is raising awareness that Hurricane Harvey disaster survivors, and their friends and family, must be alert for false rumors, scams, identity theft, and fraud. Although many Americans are working hard to help their neighbors now, during chaotic times, some will always try to take advantage of the most vulnerable.  To dispel some of the false rumors circulating on the internet and social media, FEMA created a dedicated website to address some of the most common themes. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Visit https://www.fema.gov/hurricane-harvey-rumor-control to get the most accurate information from trusted sources. Here is how to protect yourself, or someone you care about, from disaster fraud: Federal and state workers do not ask for, or accept, money. FEMA staff will never charge applicants for disaster assistance, home inspections, or help filling out applications. Stay alert for false promises to speed up the insurance, disaster assistance, or building permit process.   In person, always ask to see any FEMA employee ID badges. FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance teams may be in impacted communities providing information and assisting survivors with the registration process or their applicant files.   A FEMA shirt or jacket is not proof of identity. All FEMA representatives, including our contracted inspectors, will have a laminated photo ID. All National Flood Insurance Program adjusters will have a NFIP Authorized Adjuster Card with their name and the types of claims they may adjust.   If you are unsure or uncomfortable with anyone you encounter claiming to be an emergency management official, do not give out personal information, and contact local law enforcement.   If you suspect fraud, contact the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or report it to the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov.    More information on disaster-related fraud is available at the Texas Attorney General’s Office website at texasattorneygeneral.gov/cpd/disaster-scams or call -800-252-8011.   In Louisiana, disaster-related fraud information is available on the State Attorney General’s Office website at http://www.agjefflandry.com or contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud’s hotline at 1-866-720-5721.

FEMA Official Emergency and Disaster Declaration information.

Please refer to the following FEMA website for initial information on the current Disaster Declaration in Texas, and the Emergency Declaration for Louisiana.

Additional information on FEMA, State, County websites and information to follow on response, recovery, and mitigation for both significant events.

Due to the nature and severity of these events of 'national significance' the Department of Homeland Security are constantly review the effects of these events on the 16 Critical Infrastructure Sectors listed below.  the  national critical infrastructure protection.

Separately, daily conference calls are held with DHS Critical Infrastructure Sectors members, and FEMA on status response and recovery.  

Additional information to be forwarded when received.

BEMA International 

https://www.fema.gov/disasters

Texas Hurricane Harvey (DR-4332) Incident period: August 23, 2017 Major Disaster Declaration declared on August 25, 2017

Louisiana Tropical Storm Harvey (EM-3382) Incident period: August 27, 2017 Emergency Declaration declared on August 28, 2017

Department of Homeland Security.  Critical Infrastructure Security

-16 Critical Infrastructures....16 critical infrastructure sectors 

- 

Scholarship opportunity for asylum seekers. Immigrant CERT awareness, education & training.

Our link to the West Coast Los Angeles Immigrant Community.

Additionally we are promoting with all BEMA International members with a large immigrant community CERT (community emergency response team) awareness, education & training to prepare our 'whole community' to address planning, preparing, responding, and recovery from disasters.

BEMA International

The African Coalition is collaborating with Hearts of Mercy ( a non-profit ) organization, in bringing education opportunity for refugees and asylum seekers. Hearts of Mercy is working hard advocating  and supporting asylum seekers' education dream.  Currently, Hearts of Mercy at UCI is launching a scholarship fund to provide financial grants to asylum seekers who are incoming or continuing students admitted at a University of California campus. If you are / or know  an asylum seeker looking to complete your higher education at a UC campus please contact Senait Admassu (sadmassu@africancoalition.org) or Iman Siddiqi (ihsiddiq@uci.edu). Please visit Hearts of Mercy's FB page: https://www.facebook.com/heartsofmercyUCI/ Sincerely,  Senait Admassu President African Communities Public Health Coalition 3731 Stocker St. Suite 211 Los Angeles, CA 90008 Office : (213) 909-0885 www.africancoalition.org

Our Communties Globally. HOW TO HELP DISASTER SURVIVORS IN TEXAS

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency Private Sector Division/National Business Operations Center  Private Sector Advisory  HOW TO HELP DISASTER SURVIVORS IN TEXAS August 29, 2017 The compassion and generosity of the American people is never more evident than during and after a disaster. It is individuals, non-profits, faith- and community-based organizations, private sector partners, and governmental agencies working together that will most effectively and efficiently help survivors cope with the impacts of Tropical Storm Harvey. Please follow a few important guidelines below to ensure your support can be the most helpful for Tropical Storm Harvey disaster survivors. TO DONATE TO RELIEF EFFORTS The most effective way to support disaster survivors in their recovery is to donate money and time to trusted, reputable, voluntary or charitable organizations. Cash donations offer voluntary agencies and faith-based organizations the most flexibility to address urgently developing needs. With cash in hand, these organizations can obtain needed resources nearer to the disaster location. This inflow of cash also pumps money back into the local economy and helps local businesses recover faster. Please do not donate unsolicited goods such as used clothing, miscellaneous household items, medicine, or perishable foodstuffs at this time. When used personal items are donated, the helping agencies must redirect their staff away from providing direct services to survivors in order to sort, package, transport, warehouse, and distribute items that may not meet the needs of disaster survivors. Donate through a trusted organization.  At the national level, many voluntary-, faith- and community-based organizations are active in disasters, and are trusted ways to donate to disaster survivors. Individuals, corporations, and volunteers, can learn more about how to help on the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) website. In addition to the national members, The Texas Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (Texas VOAD) has a list of vetted disaster relief organizations providing services to survivors.  Texas VOAD represents more than three dozen faith-based, community, nonprofit and non-governmental organizations.     TO PERSONALLY VOLUNTEER IN THE DISASTER AREAS The State of Texas is asking volunteers to not self-deploy, as unexpectedly showing up to any of the communities that have been impacted by Hurricane Harvey will create an additional burden for first responders. The National VOAD has also noted the situation may not be conducive to volunteers entering the impacted zone and individuals may find themselves turned away by law enforcement. To ensure volunteer safety, as well as the safety of disaster survivors, volunteers should only go into affected areas with a specific volunteer assignment, proper safety gear, and valid identification. At this time, potential volunteers are asked to register with a voluntary or charitable organization of their choice, many of which are already in Texas and supporting survivors on the ground. The National and Texas VOAD websites are offering links to those who wish to register to volunteer with community- and faith-based organizations working in the field. Most importantly, please be patient. Although the need is great, and desire to help strong, it is important to avoid donating material goods or self-deploying to help until communities are safe and public officials and disaster relief organizations have had an opportunity to assess the damage and identify what the specific unmet needs are. Volunteer generosity helps impacted communities heal from the tragic consequences of disasters, but recovery lasts much longer than today. There will be volunteer needs for many months, and years, after the disaster, so sign up now. Tropical Storm Harvey is still dangerous, with the potential to impact additional areas of Texas and Louisiana. As the situation changes, needs may also change in these areas. Continue monitoring traditional and social media channels to learn more. Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.twitter.com/femaspox, www.facebook.com/fema and www.youtube.com/fema.  Also, follow Administrator Brock Long’s activities at www.twitter.com/fema_brock.