Message from National NAACP President & CEO, Ben Jealous

As Hurricane Ike tore a path of destruction through the Gulf Coast on Saturday, millions watched to see if the lessons of Hurricane Katrina would be repeated. Forty-eight hours after the storm hit, reports indicated that evacuation efforts saved thousands of lives.

Within that timeframe, our NAACP teams, trained by the American Red Cross, were on the ground in Texas and Louisiana providing aid to many of the more than one million families and victims of Ike. Our teams are doing assessments to ensure that the rights of African American victims are protected and that they receive equal treatment in the aftermath of the storm.
For many residents, it may be weeks before they can return home from cramped shelters. Others who opted to ride out the storm in their homes are waking up to find themselves cut off from clean water, food, plumbing and power.

The NAACP and its partners need volunteers in the region to assist with the recovery effort. Sign up here to help. In addition, tell a friend. If you know someone who would be interested supporting the NAACP's efforts in Texas and Louisiana, spread the word. You can click here to send this message to your friends and family.


Sincerely,



Benjamin T. Jealous
President & CEO