By: Miralem Smajic
October 2, 2011
Political Science 3000
Professor: David G. Houghton

In the milestone event of hurricane Katrina’s devastating destruction in 2005, the recovery process has had major impacts on the people in the Gulf of Mexico. Throughout the incident of Katrina, many organizations have helped contribute and donate their effort for the people of Louisiana and other states that have been affected by Katrina. Although years have passed since Katrina occurred, Red Cross for instance has raised the most for the beneficiary victims of Katrina. Donations throughout the United States such as: Red Cross, The Salvation Army, Joan B. Kroc, The American Cancer Society, and many other contributors raised funds for the victims of Katrina. The contributors statistics show that “The Red Cross moved up two spots to No. 2, rising nearly $3-billion,” Chronicle of Philanthropy. 20.2 (Nov. 1, 2007) while “The Salvation Army fell to No. 3, raising $1.6-billion” Chronicle of Philanthropy. 20.2 (Nov. 1, 2007) in the effort to provide outstanding amount of contribute to the people of Katrina’s destruction. Many who have lost their businesses and other data in the computing related plans by which the “Information Technology (IT) Disaster Recovery plan (DRP) to help protect their business data so as to ensure their survival,” (Academy of Strategic Management Journal. 10.2 (July 2011): p127) provides people who own businesses a safer straightforward plan to protect their values. Banks for instance have lost their power to the storm that their systems were not functioning, but at the “Hancock's SunGard backup facility,” "we were able to restart our core technology systems, ATM processing and card processing within 48 hours," Loper reports. "Then we worked on bringing up the servers and branch connectivity." Bank Systems + Technology. 45.10 (Oct. 1, 2008): p17). In the loss of educational standards the “amount awarded in 2010: $7.5-million for the Partnership for College Completion, a joint effort with the Corporation for Enterprise Development and the Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP),” Chronicle of Philanthropy. 23.16 (July 24, 2011) have provided students college saving accounts, so that the young students can have the opportunity to go to college. After the aftermath of Katrina, the elderly for instance were hit the hardest since they were the clearly the death toll of Katrina’s destruction. As stated in the article that “the death toll cut across all races, but one characteristic stood out among the storm's victims: nearly three-quarters of the dead were aged 60 and older, with 50 percent of the victims aged 75 and older,” Human Ecology. 38.2 (Fall 2010): p16) indicates that the elderly needed serious aid by which volunteers and researchers thriving to help the elderly with their environmental impacts, and their living, so that the seniors in the future will not be in serious danger. After the destruction of Katrina people from other states such as “Jonathan Graboyesmade” Chronicle of Philanthropy. 20.21 (Aug. 21, 2008) has made an impact in the Gulf Coast by “helping residents of the Broadmoor neighborhood find money to rebuild their homes,” Chronicle of Philanthropy. 20.21 (Aug. 21, 2008) also provided him an opportunity to stay in the city. Prior to the reading of Katrina, there was an extent of failures that even the government was not consistent with its contribution to the Gulf Coast. The government failed to prepare for Katrina in the first place and so did their efforts in leadership by using the Medicaid, food stamps, and other programs so that they can spend billions on Katrina which indicates that the government at that time could care less about the people who lost so much from Katrina. The government waved construction projects, so that companies don’t have the privilege to rebuild homes for people in the Gulf Coast. Powerful destruction from Hurricane Katrina has brought the Gulf Coast serious concerns in the future to prepare for what is next to come. However such destruction cannot be stopped, but prevented with the technology and the preparation of the Government to contribute its factors to nature’s destruction. Without the proper insight to prevent major tragic events we all must use our minds, especially the powerful contributors who have most of the authority to provide a better safeguard to people of such events. Many contributors such as The Red Cross and others, who helped Katrina’s victims, have made a difference in the urban cities by providing them with homes, shelter, food, medicine and other supplies equivalent for life survival.

Noelle Barton and Elizabeth Schwinn. “Modest Gains in Giving.” Chronicle of Philanthropy. 20.2 (Nov. 1, 2007) David Alijani , Roosevelt Mason and Adnan Omar. “Information technology disaster recovery plan: case study.” Academy of Strategic Management Journal. 10.2 (July 2011): p127.) Maria Bruno-Britz. “Shelter From the Storm -- Shane Loper shows his mettle in bringing Hancock Bank back from the brink after Hurricane Katrina and helping rebuild lives.” Bank Systems + Technology. 45.10 (Oct. 1, 2008): p17.) Maureen West. “An Education Charitya[euro][TM]s Fresh Idea Builds From a $500,000 Request to a $7.5-Million Award.” Chronicle of Philanthropy. 23.16 (July 24, 2011) Ted Boscia. “Helping seniors cope with climate change.” Human Ecology. 38.2 (Fall 2010): p16.) Nicole Wallace. “New Orleans's Youth Movement.” Chronicle of Philanthropy. 20.21 (Aug. 21, 2008) Simpson, Dick. Inside Urban Politics: Voices from America's Cities and Suburbs. Pearson Longman, 2004.