Striving to Serve America’s Displaced
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina those of us involved in welcoming refugees sought to serve America's displaced with our expertise in helping people rebuild new lives in new communities. We understood that the victims of the hurricane were not refugees, but like refugees they were uprooted, traumatized and in need of a welcoming community.

The White House asked LIRS and the other U.S. resettlement agencies if we would consider using our networks to help those displaced by Hurricane Katrina. We said yes, and over the next eight weeks labored to prepare for this new arena of service. We developed a comprehensive national domestic resettlement program, created tools for those seeking to sponsor evacuee families, helped draft proposed legislation, supported local affiliates serving evacuees, lobbied on behalf of affected immigrants, drafted proposals, and met with the highest levels of government officials.

But the Federal Emergency Management Agency chose to work through traditional disaster relief systems, and will not devote additional resources to helping resettle displaced people in new communities. LIRS was disappointed by this decision, because without the resource of federal dollars, our participation must be on a scale much reduced from what we had hoped. But we will continue to consult and work with our Lutheran partners to offer whatever expertise and assistance we can for those who are displaced.