ICNA Relief is setting up several points along the East Coast to support its disaster response efforts. More details are expected soon. Please be prepared using the following hurricane advisory:
Be Prepared
Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit:
- Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
- Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
- Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Whistle to signal for help
- Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
- Garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
- Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
- Local maps
- Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger
Additional Items to Consider Adding to an Emergency Supply Kit:
- Prescription medications and glasses
- Infant formula and diapers
- Pet food and extra water for your pet
- Cash or traveler’s checks and change
- Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container. You can use the
- Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov.
- Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
- Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
- Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
- Fire Extinguisher
- Matches in a waterproof container
- Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
- Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
- Paper and pencil
- Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children
Make a Plan
- Identify an out-of town contact. It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town, so an out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members.
- Be sure every member of your family knows the phone number and has a cell phone, coins, or a prepaid phone card to call the emergency contact. If you have a cell phone, program that person(s) as “ICE” (In Case of Emergency) in your phone. If you are in an accident, emergency personnel will often check your ICE listings in order to get a hold of someone you know. Make sure to tell your family and friends that you’ve listed them as emergency contacts.
- Teach family members how to use text messaging (also known as SMS or Short Message Service). Text messages can often get around network disruptions when a phone call might not be able to get through.
- Subscribe to alert services. Many communities now have systems that will send instant text alerts or e-mails to let you know about bad weather, road closings, local emergencies, etc. Sign up by visiting your local Office of Emergency Management web site.
Be Informed
Identify how local authorities will notify you during a disaster and how you will get information, whether through local radio, TV or NOAA Weather Radio stations or channels.
Keep in touch with local Masjid for community information
Make Supplication
Last but most important strengthen your relationship with Allah (Rabul A’lameen) and increase prayers and istghfar. This is the way of Prophet (peace be upon him) and brings serenity and peace within and around us.
Register to volunteer
ICNA Relief USA uses all resources both financial and human in very responsible manner. ICNA Relief, a national Muslim organization has responded to these disasters:
- 9/11 (2001)
- Hurricane Katrina (2005)
- Hurricane Rita (2005)
- California Wildfires (2007)
- Hurricane Ike (2008)
- Hurricane Gustav(2008)
- Tennessee Floods (2010)
- South Dakota & Minnesota Floods (2010)
- North Carolina Tornados (2011)
- Alabama Tornados (2011)
- Joplin, Missouri (2011)
- Springfield, MA (2011)
Click here to volunteer.
ICNA Relief’s partnerships include: FEMA, American Red Cross, CCUSA, LSSDR, NYDIS (New York Disaster Interfaith Services). ICNA Relief USA is the only Muslim organization selected to participate in major federally funded disaster recovery programs. It is only with your support and prayers that we can help those in need in at the time of this disaster.
ICNA Relief Disaster Relief Services
www.icnarelief.org
Phone: 718-658-7028, Fax: 718-658-3036
