For Release: Immediately
Contact: CMS Public Affairs
(202) 690-6145

June 3rd, 2004

AoA Provides $120,000 Disaster Relief To Older Victims of Hurricane Isabel

Josefina G. Carbonell, Assistant Secretary for Aging of the U.S. Administration on Aging (AoA) recently awarded three grants to Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia, totaling $120,000 to reimburse these States for expenses incurred in the aftermath of Hurricane Isabel.

“ These AoA disaster relief funds are very helpful in providing critical disaster relief services and advocacy for older victims of natural disasters,” said Josefina G. Carbonell. “The force of the hurricane seriously damaged a twenty-three county area, and many seniors were severely impacted by the devastating winds and flooding that occurred as a result of Hurricane Isabel on September 18, 2003. AoA’s award of these funds will help the three state agencies continue supportive efforts to help older adults who still need assistance in rebuilding their lives,” said Carbonell.
The following state agencies received AoA funding:

• Maryland Department of Aging - - $40,000
• North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division on Aging - $40,000
• Virginia Department for the Aging - $40,000

Although months have passed, Hurricane Isabel’s negative impact on the lives of many seniors is still being felt, particularly in the Lower and Upper Eastern Shore regions. Hurricane Isabel caused power outages that affected millions of people and many homes and vehicles were damaged or demolished by trees, flooding, and high winds.

This was a particular hardship for low and fixed-income seniors. There are seniors who still need help with housing arrangements, case management, cleanup and home repair. Area Agencies on Aging have spent many extra hours assessing the damage, counseling and helping older persons complete the paperwork for financial assistance, and referring people to appropriate agencies.

" We know that seniors often take a bit longer to recover from disasters of this magnitude, and we want to be able to provide needed assistance to help them get back on their feet. Our funding fills in for services and activities that older people need that are not provided through other emergency resources," Carbonell added.

For additional information on AoA’s national disaster preparedness and response activities, please contact Irma Tetzloff at (202) 357-3525.

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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging (AoA), works with a nationwide network of organizations and service providers to make support services and resources available to older persons and their caregivers. For more information about the AoA, please contact: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging, Washington, D.C. 20201, Phone (202) 401-4541.

http://www.aoa.gov
Email: aoainfo@aoa.gov

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