Community Partners Coalesce to Respond to Long Term Needs of Broward County Residents Affected by Natural Disasters

Community Partners Coalesce to Respond to Long Term Needs of Broward County Residents Affected by Natural Disasters

By William Condon

      FORT LAUDERDALE — In the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, in September 2017, dozens of business, government, non-profit and faith-based organizations, came together under the umbrella of the Long-Term Recovery Coalition of Broward County (LTRC) to continue addressing the unmet needs of Broward County residents long after resources for the initial response were depleted.

The LTRC is a humanitarian association of organizations with disaster capabilities or resources that can respond to a declared disaster locally. It is designed to foster collaboration and coordinate services to residents in need after the storm related resources made available by local, state, and federal entities have been depleted. Created under the auspices of the Coordinating Council of Broward (CCB), comprised of leaders from the government, business and nonprofit communities, the LTRC will provide an important human services safety net in the months and in some cases, years, after a disaster.

“The CCB works to coordinate and communicate health and human services more effectively.

With the creation of the LTRC, we are in a better position to address the unmet needs from Irma and better prepare for the future.” said Sandra Veszi Einhorn, Executive Director of the CCB.

“The Broward County community is committed to ensuring that no one is left behind after a storm or natural disaster.”

The LTRC is already making a difference. Marian, an elderly Sunrise resident, had her home severely damaged during Hurricane Irma. As of July, she still lived in precarious conditions, a situation further complicated by the fact that she would not leave her premises without her pets.

With the help of the LTRC and Rebuilding Together Broward County, they restored Marian’s home to livable conditions. “I couldn’t have remained in my home without the help of our community.” said Marian. They have been a Godsend!”