SNAPSHOT SURVEY SPECIAL EDITION
Disaster in the Gulf of Mexico:
Catholic Charities Responds to Mounting Human Needs
Livelihoods Halted, Futures Uncertain
Even with the successful cap of the oil leak in late July, the future for many along the Gulf Coast is still uncertain. Nearly four months following the destruction of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Rig, Catholic Charities agencies continue to meet the need left in its aftermath on a daily basis.
The Local Response
As of August 2010, five Catholic Charities agencies have utilized over 70 staff in program services and have delivered over 25,000 units of service. Services provided include information and referral, case management, mental health counseling and emergency assistance (rent, food, baby supplies, utilities,etc.).
Responding agencies include:
- Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, LA: 5 Community Resource Sites; 46 Staff and 141 volunteers; over 7,531 individuals served with 19,075 services delivered.
- Catholic Charities, Diocese of Houma-Thibodeaux, LA: 3 service locations; 5.5 staff; 1,417 services delivered
- Catholic Charities, Diocese of Biloxi, MS: 5 service locations; 14 staff; 4,125 services delivered
- Catholic Social Services, Diocese of Mobile, AL: 7 case management sites; 1,300 individuals served
- Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida (Pensacola): 4 service locations; 8 staff
- Although not directly impacted by the disaster, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, LA, has been active in collecting resources, specifically baby supplies, that have been distributed via the outreach sites of Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans
The Growing Need for Life-Sustaining Resources
Catholic Charities agencies along the Gulf Coast are serving thousands of people and families who have felt the effects of the economic impact almost overnight.
Food, household supplies and clothing have been the primary needs to date, but increasingly Catholic Charities’ disaster response and case management services are focusing on employment assistance, anger and stress management, and crisis counseling.
In Biloxi, MS, the disaster has created tension and apprehension about the future of the region. Those who work in the tourism and fishing industry are feeling the effects. Livelihoods are on hold, stress is rising.
In Houma-Thibodaux, LA, mental health/stress management is the biggest concern as individuals in the seafood, fishing, and tourism industry cannot work and support their families. May is usually the most profitable time for shrimp trawlers, crabbers, retail seafood outlets, and charter fishing businesses. The local Catholic Charities agency expects increased need for mental health counseling as these businesses are forced to close indefinitely.
According to Rob Gorman, Director of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, LA, this disaster could be worse than hurricanes. “If you're a trawler, you don't know if you're going to be able to trawl this year, or if you're going to be able to trawl next year, or the year after that, or the year after that," said Gorman.
“There’s no telling when you’re going to go out [fishing] again. I received one check. I don’t know when the next one is coming. What can I say but, 'pray upon it,'" Chris Nelhig, local fisherman. (America Magazine).
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