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2:00 p.m. - Thursday, Sept. 1, 2005

DFCS Opening shelters for storm refugees

ATLANTA (GA) - Since Hurricane Katrina devastated much of the Gulf Coast, the Department of Human Resources’ Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) has been working closely with the American Red Cross to provide emergency shelter for storm refugees. Under the governor’s Emergency Support Function 6 Mass Care (ESF 6) Initiative, DFCS and the American Red provide food and shelter for disaster victims. After tornados ravaged parts of North Georgia, DFCS opened shelters to meet local needs.

As the scale of the damage in Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama became known, DFCS opened shelters to accommodate out-of-state storm victims. Currently the Division of Family and Children Services has ten shelters in operation, in addition to shelters being run directly by the American Red Cross. These shelters are located in Lowndes, Newton, Richmond, Fulton, Bibb, White, Muscogee, Dougherty, Coweta and Troup counties. Should the situation require, DFCS stands ready to open additional shelters on an as-needed basis.

“Our hearts go out to the victims of this disaster, but we’re also taking practical, concrete steps to help them,” DHR Commissioner B.J. Walker said. “The Department of Human Resources and DFCS stand ready to give our neighbors the help they need for as long as they need it. We’re going to make all our resources available and we’re not going to let bureaucracy stand in the way.”