It has been called the greatest natural disaster in American history. The devastation that only took a few hours to occur on the 28th of August, 2005 has left a scar on the face of the gulf coast that will not soon fade. The unthinkable prospect of having an entire major city displaced from their homes was realized overnight. Those who were lucky enough to have a way out lost possessions; but many who were unable to reach transportation lost family, friends and livelihoods.
Katrina exposed an ugly truth about America; that Americans suffer, are impoverished and most of all; that even Americans need charity. As our government struggled to provide shelter and help to the survivors of Katrina, it became quickly clear that non-profit, Charitable Humanitarian aid organizations were the primary source of care and recovery for hundreds of thousands of people in dire need.
Zakat Foundation Response to the Need
From Chicago, Pennsylvania and North Carolina the voluntary response team of Zakat Foundation descended upon the devastated region to provide much needed supplies and compassion for the victims of hurricane Katrina.
Within a few hours of the team being assembled in Baton Rouge, our team was hard at work unloading the much-needed supplies to Islamic centers and local churches which were all operating as shelters for the displaced residents of New Orleans. We were able to provide new clothing, clean water, food, eating utensils, blankets and even toys to provide comfort to the children of the storm. Though our physical presence only lasted a few weeks, ZF continued to send aid and support through the Islamic Center of Baton Rouge.
In December of 2005, ZF sought to once again head a group into the still devastated area of New Orleans and provide food to those most in need. We were able to distribute over 200 food packages, each of which sufficient to provide for a family for at least a week’s meals. Since this distribution was in the middle of the holiday season, we also handed out candy treats for the children in the poor communities. We were greeted with many smiles and it brought joy to us to provide for these people whom so much of America had already forgotten. In the shadow of the beast that was Katrina, emerging from the flooded gulf coast there surfaced an army of volunteers who labored endlessly to provide hope to those who had none.
The rebuilding process continues, if you wish to contribute toward helping a Mosque rebuild or one of the many who are still homeless to reconstruct their house; please contact us at The Zakat Foundation and we will use our contacts and resources to use your donation in the most effective means possible.
