Sera Bonds, MPH
Po Box 163323
Austin, Texas
78716-3323
Phone 512.517.3220

September 8, 2005

WHAT: Circle of Health International (COHI), and Austin based non-profit focusing on providing women’s health services in conflict and disaster areas, is organizing a local, grassroots response to support the survivors of Hurricane Katrina. COHI recently partnered with Acadiana Outreach Center, a shelter in Lafayette, LA to address gaps missed by national organizations such as The American Red Cross and FEMA and will be targeting women and children. COHI’s response is a long-term commitment to meet the women’s health needs of affected rural communities assistance: meeting reproductive health needs of the affected women (pre-natal care, birth control, condoms), providing medical supplies, medical practitioners, and financial support.

WHERE: COHI’s local partners are Acadiana Outrach Center, Layfayette, LA.

WHEN: COHI is committing to a long-term partnership with Acadiana Outreach Center in order to provide sustainable support beginning immediately.

WHY: Despite the large-scale relief effort and massive evacuation in the region, local clinics and community social service are being overlooked by the larger initiatives. In the wake of Katrina’s devastation, local community efforts providing essential social services to families have been nearly halted by the massive influx of evacuees, many of whom are in desperate need of immediate health services because of chronic illness and acute sustained injuries. COHI responded to such disasters as the tsunami in late 2004 by providing comprehensive women's health services to an estimated 70,000 women with a team of 13 health professionals, raised $70,000USD, and conducted the first women’s focused needs assessment during the emergency phase of the disaster.

HOW: Unlike Mother Nature, our response is something we can control and we simply must act. We are calling for supplies, money, frequent flyer miles, and practitioners. Program Manager, Laura Williams, is coordinating COHI's efforts to provide targetted assistance that the large organizations miss. You can contact her at laura@circleofhealthintl.org.