United Nations Staff dig deep for hurricane victims.

• Author: Bolton, Sally
• Position: Passing By

Less than a week after Hurricane Katrina tore through the southern states of Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana on 28 August 2005, wreaking havoc and devastation across the Gulf Coast of the United States, the United Nations system had pledged disaster relief support for the hurricane-ravaged areas and mobilized efforts to aid the victims of the disaster. At the same time, UN staff members were already planning to personally help by organizing the United Nations Staff Relief Committee and a clothing drive.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

In its first three days of operation, the United Nations Staff Relief Fund, created by the Committee, had collected over $22,000 in cash and checks, with more donations expected through wire transfers. Committee Chairperson Rosemarie Waters said contribution was also coming in from other UN offices around the world. "Seeing the compelling pictures on television, you can't turn away from something like this", she said. With over 90 volunteers involved with the Committee, response had so far been overwhelming.

The clothing drive, coordinated through an NGO group called "Give Them a Hand", was held on...