Nearly three years after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, some of its victims are still dealing with the problems the storm blew in.
Displaced and downtrodden, families occupying temporary trailer homes in and around New Orleans were recently notified that they would have to evacuate their homes again. This time, the threat isn’t a hurricane but the dangerously high levels of formaldehyde found in the trailers issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Formaldehyde is a chemical commonly used as a preservative in the construction industry. It’s found mostly in wood products and foam insulation. In large doses, formaldehyde can lead to breathing problems and may increase a person’s chance of developing leukemia and brain cancer.
Families were given until June 1 to relocate. Since affordable apartments and housing are scarce, some people have moved to motels, where they can live for up to 30 days while they search for new residences. Most of the families leaving the trailer parks are eligible for emergency government-subsidized housing until March, but those who cannot prove where they were living before Katrina will receive FEMA housing aid for only one month.
Thus far, in Renaissance Village trailer park, one of the six emergency trailer parks to be evacuated, 27 of the 575 units are still occupied. FEMA assured that no one would be kicked out of their trailer home if they haven’t found a place to stay.
In the midst of natural disasters around the world and our own nation’s many problems, we seem to have forgotten about those struggling close to home. It’s unfortunate that in the world’s wealthiest country, we can’t offer better assistance to the people who need it most. It’s respectable that FEMA informed the residents of the danger in the trailer homes instead of allowing them to get sick, but they should have planned ahead to prevent the possibility of people being displaced.
As if the victims of Katrina haven’t suffered enough, they have to relocate and possibly start all over again. Although a motel will allow them to stay for 30 days, that might not be enough time to find a home.
Some of the elderly, disabled and those battling addictions have no place to go. How does FEMA expect them to find a home when they probably don’t have a car or money?
It’s FEMA’s job to protect and provide for those who can’t do so for themselves after a disaster. They didn’t deliver assistance when it was needed most after Hurricane Katrina, so if anything, FEMA should be breaking their necks to make sure the evacuees of these trailer parks have a stable home after they leave. The least they could have done is offered more financial assistance or some kind of job training to the trailer park residents before hanging them out to dry.
After discovering the hazardous levels of formaldehyde in the trailers, FEMA should have taken steps to have the them removed and replaced with more efficient housing.
After all of the criticisms FEMA received following Katrina, they still haven’t learned how to do their job efficiently and effectively. Bottom line: FEMA should have planned ahead. If this is the best they can do three years after Katrina, they shouldn’t expect people to place much trust in them if and when another disaster hits.
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