Acadiana Volunteer Organizations Active In Disaster Centralizes Flood Disaster Recovery Efforts

Lafayette, LA – Organizations or groups helping with flood disaster recovery and relief efforts are invited to join Acadiana Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD).

Acadiana VOAD is a network that collaborates and communicates to reduce duplication of services in times of disaster response.

“Acadiana VOAD is an incredible network that collaborates and communicates to reduce duplication of services and streamline efforts,” said Jason Huffman, United Way of Acadiana’s VP of Organizational and Impact Strategies. “It’s important that we all work together so that efforts are not diluted and the public has a centralized avenue in which to help. This network has been in existence for over two decades and worked well during past disasters such as the 2012 Carencro flooding and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. We welcome any non-profit organization, government agency, civic organization or church group to join so that we can collaboratively serve those affected as efficiently and effectively as possible.”

Acadiana VOAD met at Noon Aug. 15 and will have its next meeting Friday, Aug. 19 at 9 a.m. in the auditorium at Lafayette Consolidated Government located at 705 West University Ave. in Lafayette. Minutes from the meeting are posted at www.unitedwayofacadiana.org/flood2016.

Additionally, organizations or businesses who are staged as supply and goods drop-off locations are urged to attend Friday’s meeting.

Members of Acadiana VOAD and the downloadable membership application form are listed at www.unitedwayofacadiana.org/essentials. Organizations include non-profit organizations, faith-based organizations, government agencies and civic groups from the Acadiana region.