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Tell Congress: Protect Kids When Disasters Strike
 Two years ago Hurricane Katrina exposed a disaster management system ill-equipped to meet the unique needs of children. Today the levees are repaired, but the gaps in our disaster management programs remain. Congress needs to step up to the challenge by passing legislation to assess our current plans and make sure they work for children when the next disaster strikes.
Children shouldn't have to wait another year to be safe in a disaster. Tell Congress to act now.
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: Protect Kids When Disaster Strikes
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
Two years ago Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, exposing critical gaps in our disaster management programs. The Addressing the Disaster Needs of Children Act of 2007 (S.1970) addresses the failure of our disaster management system to adequately respond to the unique needs of children. Please cosponsor this legislation to create a National Commission on Children and Disasters.
The current patchwork of disaster response programs lacks the mandate and capability to effectively respond to the unique needs of children in crisis. Of the thousands of children who ended up in emergency shelters, more than 40 percent were separated from their immediate family. Temporary housing sites lacked safe recreational spaces for children to gather and play. Immediately following the storm, 1,100 schools were closed and 372,000 children were unable to attend school in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. Six months after Hurricane Katrina, 21 percent of Louisiana schools remained closed. Hundreds of licensed child care centers -- many ineligible for federal disaster assistance -- remain closed as families struggled to recover and rebuild.
S.1970 is an important step forward toward making our disaster response programs work for children. This legislation will establish a National Commission on Children and Disasters to thoroughly assess the needs of children during and after emergencies or disasters, and make recommendations to Congress and the President. The bill would also establish a National Resource Center on Children and Disasters to serve as a central clearinghouse of information for families, health care providers, emergency managers, and others involved in disaster issues.
Please cosponsor the Addressing the Disaster Needs of Children Act of 2007 (S.1970). Children in disasters shouldn't have to wait any longer.
Sincerely,
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Campaign Launched:
August 24, 2007
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Children and youth have unique needs which should be given special consideration in planning for, responding to, and recovering from emergencies and disasters. As Hurricane Katrina demonstrated, the current disaster management system is inadequately prepared to meet the needs of children.
The Addressing the Disaster Needs of Children Act of 2007 (S.1970) was introduced on August 2, 2007 by Senator Chris Dodd (CT) and the Kids in Disasters WiSH (Well-being, Health, and Safety) Act of 2007 (H.R. 3495) was introduced by Representative Corrine Brown (FL) on September 7, 2007. These bills would establish a National Commission on Children and Disasters. The bipartisan Commission would:
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Examine, assess and report on the facts and causes relating to the needs of children during and after disasters and emergencies.
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Consider the needs of children related to child welfare, health, child care services, education and housing.
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Review and build upon previous findings and recommendations related to children's needs in disasters, including executive branch, Congressional, and independent inquiries.
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Report to the President and Congress on its findings, conclusions and recommendations.
The pieces of legislation would also establish a National Resource Center on Children and Disasters. The Center would act as a clearinghouse to collect and disseminate information and resources on issues relating to the needs before, during and after hazards, disasters and emergencies.
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