August 20, 2008

Since August 2005, Mercy Corps donors have given generously to support our work along the storm-ravaged U.S. Gulf Coast. Now the courageous people we've worked with and the local organizations we've supported are deciding the best courses of action to strengthen their communities.

Almost three years after beginning an emergency response to Hurricane Katrina's aftermath, Mercy Corps is closing its New Orleans field office. While we are scaling down our physical presence in the region, we will continue working with local partner organizations on strategies that help residents determine their own future.

Our decision hinged, in part, on where the New Orleans community stands today: it has moved from post-disaster recovery to focused redevelopment. Local organizations and community leaders are motivated and capable of the economic and social progress that the area needs today.

Photos: Thatcher Cook for Mercy Corps, Roger Burks/Mercy Corps, Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps' legacy in the Gulf Coast region, and especially in New Orleans, is broad and far-reaching: from critical emergency supplies and psychosocial services for children, to musical and cultural programming, to strengthening local organizations and deconstructing damaged houses, to spurring economic development and supporting green construction, we have been there at every step of recovery and rebuilding. And those programs' impact will endure as catalysts for change.

The concept and practice of deconstruction, which is the manual dismantling of buildings to salvage re-usable materials, has particular potential for long-term impact in New Orleans. Mercy Corps began piloting deconstruction just months after Hurricane Katrina, and has found that 30 to 60 percent of a damaged house can re-enter the retail market as building materials. This bolsters the local economy, creates living-wage jobs and preserves architectural history — as well as giving valuable financial benefits to families whose homes might otherwise be simply demolished.

Deconstruction is becoming a readily accepted and desirable idea around New Orleans: the Old City Rebuilding Center, a used material depot funded by Mercy Corps, sold most of the material from two deconstructed houses before its opening in mid-June. This word of mouth is leading to more opportunities, which leads to more jobs. In fact, the National Association of Minority Contractors is opening an office and training facility inside the Old City Rebuilding Center, and both Job Corps and Louisiana Technical Colleges will maintain offices there as well.

Our legacy in New Orleans will also be empowerment in the aftermath of one our nation's greatest tragedies. The strong, mobilizing work of neighborhood associations is testament to people who wouldn't give up on their city. And that work was made possible by thousands of donations from Mercy Corps supporters who wanted to make sure we all stood behind Gulf Coast families when they needed us most.

Thanks to three years of commitment, collaboration, ideas and hard work, life has improved for thousands of families that weathered Hurricane Katrina. And, because of teamwork with local organizations, neighborhood associations and community leadership, that work will continue to shape and strengthen New Orleans for years to come.

If you're interested in donating to Mercy Corps-supported local organizations that are working on Gulf Coast recovery and rebuilding, please contact us at:

Mercy Corps
Gulf Coast Recovery Fund
Dept W
PO Box 2669
Portland, OR 97208

Email: donorservices@mercycorps.org

Phone: 1-800-292-3355, extension 250

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