Resources for the Harvard community
in response to Hurricane Katrina

A letter from President Lawrence H. Summers about Hurricane Katrina

President Summers' address at Morning Prayers ponders the lessons of Katrina (09/19/05)

Harvard College, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and Extension School to enroll displaced students
• A letter from Dean Kirby regarding Katrina relief
• FAS opens doors to Katrina students
        - A special message to all students affected by Hurricane Katrina
• Extension School offers scholarships

Graduate School of Education will enroll displaced students
• A message from Acting Dean McCartney
• HGSE's hurricane response information page

Harvard Business School plans to assist faculty and students of temporarily closed schools in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina
• A message from Business School Acting Dean Jay O. Light

A message from Divinity School Dean William A. Graham

Brigham and Women's Hospital's Katrina response
• Letter to the Brigham and Women's Hospital community about Hurricane Katrina from Gary Gottlieb, president

Massachusetts General Hospital's response to Gulf Coast in aftermath of Hurricane Katrina

With the cost of commuting escalating because of the crisis, Harvard employees can turn to the Commuter Choice program for more options *.

School of Public Health faculty member Leonard Marcus studies leadership response to disaster and recounts his view of the damage		School of Public Health program coordinator Joshua Frances offers first-hand account of Mississippi recovery efforts		Kennedy School panel dissects Katrina disaster

Other news:

• Survey of Katrina evacuees: Half trapped in homes waited three days or more for rescue

There are no events scheduled at this time.

Massachusetts resources for those interested in volunteering for local and national Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, from the School of Public Health

The School of Public Health has created a Web page with information about charitable giving and how to assess charities.

The Harvard Humanitarian Initiative wants to hear from Harvard-affiliated health professionals who would like to volunteer for the response efforts.

Gov. Mitt Romney announced the activation of the Operation Helping Hand Volunteer Helpline for those who wish to volunteer their skills to assist the survivors of Hurricane Katrina who will be staying in Massachusetts over the next few months. The number is 1-800-293-4031.

Those who would like to assist the American Red Cross as volunteers can view the requirements online. Those who meet the requirements can fill out a volunteer form.

[back to top]

Harvard Health Publications offers disaster planning guide (PDF)

Visit Hurricane Katrina Support for outreach and resources being provided by Harvard University Health Services. The Harvard community can obtain information about how to receive medical and counseling services by calling 617-998-4847 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and at all other times by calling 617-495-5711.

Harvard's EAP (Employee Assistance Program) can help you cope with your own response to the crisis, or with the responses of family, friends, and co-workers. They are available 24 hours a day: Online: http://harvie.harvard.edu/workandlife/eap/index.shtml *. By phone: 1-877-EAP-HARV (877-327-4278).

The Bureau of Study Counsel offers opportunities for students to talk about their feelings. More information is available online or by phone at 617-495-2581.

Reactions to a Major Disaster: A Fact Sheet for Survivors and their Families
-- from the West VA Psychological Association (PDF)

Stress Management for College Students
-- materials from a variety of University Counseling Centers

Coping With Disaster
-- from the National Mental Health Association

Coping with Storm Related Natural Disasters
-- from the American Psychiatric Association