Under-resourced and underserved: Supporting tornado-devastated communities in Mississippi and the Deep South

About

Poor. Black. Rural. And gone. Most of the communities hit by tornadoes over the March 24-26 weekend share these characteristics. They are also strong, resilient and proud, and urgently need philanthropic support.

For the second time in just two months, the Center for Disaster Philanthropy is hosting a webinar to examine the impact of tornadoes in the Deep South. Multiple states, including Texas, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia, were hit with multiple devastating tornadoes. The loss of life was highest in Mississippi, where an EF-4 tornado destroyed multiple communities across the state.

Speakers will share the latest information, including critical needs and gaps, and provide concrete takeaways for funders to effectively support relief and recovery efforts now underway.

During the webinar, we will look at the impact of a catastrophic disaster in communities that were already lacking a strong social safety net and infrastructure. What does rebuilding look like when you’re starting nearly from scratch? How do you support communities that have lost everything?

At the end of the webinar, donors and grantmakers will:

1. Understand the variety of immediate and long-term needs faced by communities in tornado-impacted areas.
2. Learn how systemic racism and disinvestment will make recovery harder.
3. Increase their knowledge of tornadoes and how they can support communities to prepare for, respond to and recover from these devastating disasters.

While primarily aimed at funders, it may also be of interest to academics, humanitarian assistance and NGO staff interested in or working on disasters and other crises.