Update on relief work in Live Oak, FL.

First of all, thank you to everyone for passing along info on the camp we set up in Northern Florida. This ended up being a weekend of grief and confusion in Live Oak, FL for many reasons.

During our work up north, we only saw a few families, which at first was quite a surprise to all of us at the camp, because we knew that there were families in need in the area. However, it wasn't long before we realized what was going on.

As of Sunday night, we had been hearing reports of shelters across North Florida closing, and that people were being sent to other cities to seek shelter. We were told that from Tallahassee to Gainesville to Live Oak, evacuation shelters were closing and that evacuees were having to move on to the next city, only to find another shelter closed.

We met with the red cross that evening, and were told that 1) shelters were closed because there weren't enough people to house, and 2) any families under the red cross jurisdiction were not allowed to be referred to non-red cross shelters (including ours), because the red cross was then responsible for those people it had "taken in." At the same time, a family arrived to get supplies and food, and told us that all the evacuees that were sent to the Live Oak shelter (that was closed) had dispersed because they didn't know where to go.

The next morning, someone called saying that there was nowhere for evacuees to seek shelter. We were referred to several families (one family of 11 people, one of 7 people) that were paying up to 150 dollars per night to stay in a hotel. As my friend and I left last night, we were making dinner for those families, and surely by the end of the week, many more will be living on our campground.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS SITUATION? First of all, there was no rumor control. I was at a loss for what to do, because I had little access to local and national information outlets to find out what was true and what wasn't. As I write this, I'm still skeptical of what information I received over the weekend.

Secondly, many relief organizations don't know their head from their ass. I don't believe this is entirely their fault, because I'm sure that they're dealing with the same rumor mill that we were. Regardless, when a dedicated group of people offers to help out and proves that they have the resources to house people, what's the purpose of denying their aid?

I honestly don't think that bureaucratic hierarchal relief organizations are ready to relinquish "control" of the situation and let organized groups of caring individuals across the world use their skills and knowledge to take care of the people we call our friends and neighbors.

Certainly, we have our shortcomings, but that never stopped us from taking care of our communities, and it never will.

So the camp set up in Live Oak, Florida is ongoing. We can provide supplies, food, shelter, care, and help in planning for peoples future. We have connections to communities across the country that are willing to house people. If anybody knows or hears of families in need in North Florida or South Georgia, please give them my e-mail (iwillresist (at) hellokitty (dot) com) and phone number (860-778-4036) and I'll hook them up with a warm community ready to address all of their emotional and physical needs. I'll have more phone numbers later of where people can call to get a direct line into the camp.

By the way, I brought several medical documents with me to camp that should prove useful for others that are setting up or helping out at camps:

It's hot! It's humid! It's sunny! (by Boston Area Liberation Medic Squad)
Spanish Phrase Book for First Aid Trained Activists (by Boston Area Liberation Medic Squad)
BARHC Aftercare tips

Sharing the librarian love,

radym. resistance.