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Four days after Hurricane Katrina struck Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and western Florida, the Church is continuing its efforts in conjunction with numerous other relief efforts to meet the needs of members and other evacuees. While there are no reports of death or injury among Church members, several Church members' homes are damaged. Member homes in New Orleans and Slidell, Louisiana, as well as in Biloxi, Gulfport, Hattiesburg, and Waveland, Mississippi, have significant damage from extreme wind and rain. Some members may not be able to return to their homes for up to six months.

Although several meetinghouses in New Orleans and Slidell are damaged, the extent of the damage is unknown because the buildings remain inaccessible. Meanwhile, meetinghouses throughout the Southeast continue to serve as shelters.

The Church has recently delivered 15 truckloads of emergency provisions and food for hurricane victims, while more supplies are continually on their way. Full-time missionaries are also lending a hand by helping with the cleanup and by distributing Church relief supplies. Because communication is a challenge in the area, satellite phones have been distributed among stake presidents and other local leaders. Church efforts in the impact area are under the direction and coordination of Elder John Anderson, Area Seventy.

The American Red Cross and local governments in the disaster area have requested that the Church fill the order for thousands of hygiene kits, which include soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs, and hand towels.

In Utah, Governor Jon Huntsman Jr. said the state would care for 1,000 hurricane refugees. In accordance with that effort, the Church will fill the request to help feed the evacuees, who are set to arrive in Salt Lake City this weekend.

The Church' s relief efforts are part of an ongoing effort involving several humanitarian and relief groups. Hurricane Katrina, among the worst natural disasters in U.S. history, left hundreds of thousands in need. While an estimated 90,000 people still remain stranded in New Orleans, frustration and lawlessness, linked to famine, thirst, chaos, and anarchy, hindered some rescue efforts and caused a demand for 40,000 federal troops on Thursday. In other areas, recovery is happening more quickly as power is restored and relief aid reaches the needy.

Several Hurricane Katrina relief funds are in place across the nation and world. Those seeking to help with hurricane relief through the Church can find more information at www.providentliving.org.