Volunteer Opportunities

Bioterrorism Preparedness | Pandemic Influenza |Pandemic Plans | Natural Disasters | Hurricane Katrina | Information for Providers and Victims | Volunteer Opportunities | Donations

Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) website and the EMAC website.
For public health workers employed by state and local public health agencies:
Please volunteer through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), an agreement among 48 states to share resources during a disaster. More information about the EMAC can be found at the

HHS Website
For healthcare professionals and relief volunteers from non-public health organizations:
The Federal Government is mobilizing and identifying individuals with expertise in several specific professional areas. Please complete and submit the online form to volunteer these individuals. If volunteers have questions regarding the online application, please call the Hurricane Katrina Volunteer Call Center: 1(866) KATMEDI (1-866- 528-6334).

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
FEMA, as the lead agency in the Hurricane Katrina emergency response, is also involved in mobilizing and identifying individuals offering goods or services to the relief effort. Please call the FEMA hotline at 1 (800) 440-6728. A representative will take the caller's name and information, as well as what type of goods or services the caller wishes to donate. Donation offers may include temporary housing for disaster victims, vehicles, construction equipment, food, clothing, or other offers that may assist those displaced by Hurricane Katrina.
The callers will be directed to the National Emergency Resource Registry (NERR).

FEMA is also linking general volunteer coordination to several national voluntary organizations that are active in disaster and emergency response. Click here to link to these national voluntary organizations, or call FEMA to volunteer at 1 (800) 440-6728.

USA Freedom Corps Volunteer Network
As recovery and relief efforts begin to assist victims, well-meaning volunteers are being urged not to report directly to the affected areas unless directed by a volunteer agency. Visit the USA Freedom Corps Volunteer Network to find additional opportunities to engage in ongoing relief efforts and prepare for future disasters.

The NIH Katrina Call Center
Telephone consultation services for primary care providers in the Katrina disaster zone.
Call: 1 (866) 887-2842

Health Care Professionals and Relief Personnel Worker Page
The Office of the Surgeon General and the Office of Public Health Emergency Preparedness: effort to mobilize and identify healthcare professionals and relief personnel to assist in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

HHS Coordinating Volunteer Physicians to Help Hurricane Katrina Victims
Information from the American Medical Association (AMA) website. HHS has contracted with JCNationwide; please call 1 (800) 272-2707 if you can be of assistance.

Florida Volunteer Medical Registry for Hurricane Katrina
The registry is accepting applications for licensed medical personal to work in affected areas.

Louisiana State Medical Society - Hurricane Katrina Medical Relief Efforts
Information about volunteering and alternate numbers to call, if the Office of Public Health volunteer hotline is overloaded.

Texas Medical Association - Hurricane Katrina Relief Volunteer Page
Contact information for in- and out-of-state physicians who want to volunteer.