South Louisiana will be feeling the aftereffects of last
week’s flooding for more than just the immediate future. However, the Acadiana branch of
Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD) has already begun the long road to
recovery. Since last Friday, August 12th, the members of Acadiana VOAD have been hard at
work using every resource available to help our community.
Member organizations of VOAD include: American Red Cross, United Way, FoodNet,
Salvation Army, Second Harvest Food Bank, Lafayette Habitat for Humanity, 232-HELP, and
many more. With the help of VOAD, organizations like these have been working around the
clock to help get Lafayette and the surrounding areas back on their feet.
“The important thing is to get information out there,” said Kim Boudreaux, VOAD’s
logistical coordinator for this event. “We have launched a Facebook page and new website to
help get the information out into the community.”
VOAD will be regularly releasing updates through social media as the disaster relief
efforts continue. To receive these updates, like their Facebook page “Acadiana VOAD” and go
to their website www.acadianavoad.com.
About Acadiana VOAD:
Acadiana Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (AVOAD) is a humanitarian
association of local community voluntary organizations in the greater Acadiana Region of
Southwest Louisiana. The mission of this organization is to foster efficient, streamlined service
delivery to people affected by disaster, while eliminating unnecessary duplication of effort,
through cooperation, communication, coordination and collaboration in the four phases of
disaster: preparation, response, recovery and mitigation.
Acadiana VOAD has been coordinating disaster relief for over 20 years in this area and is
an affiliate of the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.
The area served by Acadiana VOAD includes the following parishes: Lafayette, St.
Martin, St. Mary, St. Landry, Iberia, Vermilion, Acadia, Evangeline.
The members of Acadiana VOAD will work closely and collaborate with other member
organizations, faith based organizations, and local, state or federal authorities.
