Katrina Relief Efforts Turning to Evacuees With HIV

Across the United States, AIDS service organizations, support systems, and government officials are helping link HIV-positive Hurricane Katrina evacuees to medical care and treatment.

HIV-positive evacuees should register for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster assistance by telephoning 800-621-FEMA, according to Diana Bruce, spokesperson of the Washington-based AIDS Alliance for Children, Youth & Families. "When registering, tell the operator that you have special needs and are HIV-positive," in order to be directed to the right unit, said Bruce.

The American Academy of HIV Medicine established a Web link for medical personnel, social workers, and benefits managers to join. The idea behind the site is to gather people who can provide backup for HIV service providers fatigued through helping evacuees. Visit www.aahivm.org.

Howard Grossman, the academy's executive director, was not surprised AIDS agencies had "to take things into our own hands." "It became clear fairly quickly that there is little attention to the needs of people living with HIV," he said. "In the midst of such a massive disaster, and such inept handling of it, I guess that makes some kind of sense."

Back to other news for September 27, 2005