Hurricane Katrina left more than 1,830 dead, over 500,000 people displaced and 90,000 square miles of Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi impacted. In response to Katrina the American Red Cross launched its largest ever mobilisation of resources for a single disaster. Public criticism of the federal, state and local governments' reaction to the storm was widespread and resulted in an investigation by the United States Congress and the resignation of the Head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
In partnership with the Red Cross and the San Diego SuperComputer Center, Microsoft rapidly developed Katrinasafe.org, a site to help evacuees find each other in the aftermath of the disaster. Microsoft CIO Ron Markezich observed:
"Individuals and teams across the company devoted themselves to responding to Katrina, sometimes working through the night or involving friends and family to complete a project for the relief efforts."
Since Katrina, more than 342,473 displaced people have logged on and used the web site. In the past year Microsoft and the American Red Cross have been working together with the objective of increasing the ARC's long-term capabilities. The experience Microsoft and its employees obtained during Hurricane Katrina, through the deployment of consultants, developers, technical analysts and customer service teams is being utilised in order to prepare for the future. Steve Cooper, CIO of the Red Cross, said:
"The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina was a perfect example of a partnership in action and how the expertise of partners and volunteers can help create the foundation for future improvements in disaster response capabilities."
In June 2006 the Red Cross issued a report assessing where it felt it had fallen short of its own objectives. The report proposed how it could respond more efficiently the next time a disaster strikes by working with technology companies on a long-term basis. They identified three key areas for increased investment:
- Creating an emergency call-centre.
- Pre-position additional communications technology in coastal states.
- Adopting a disaster welfare system based on Katrinasafe.org.
The Red Cross and Microsoft have now launched a, "state-of-the-art tool that will be the standard for exchanging welfare information in the immediate aftermath of a disaster". The new website, entitled the 'Safe and Well List', is now online and available for faster communication should another crisis arise. If you have been affected by a disaster the website provides a way for you to register yourself as 'Safe and Well' by posting relevant information about your location and physical condition. On the flip side, concerned family and friends can search the list of those who have registered themselves as 'Safe and Well'. People will also be able to register by phone if internet access isn't readily available.
It seems that lessons are being learnt - we can only hope that it's a long time before they need to be put into action.
