| DISASTER RELIEF RESOURCES |
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Disaster Relief | Resources for Attorneys“The real test of legal aid’s capacity will come after the rain stops.”–The Atlantic
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NAPABA and our Texas affiliates, the Austin Asian American Bar Association, the Asian American Bar Association of Houston, and the Dallas Asian American Bar Association; the South Asian Bar Association of Houston; and the Louisiana Asian Pacific American Bar Association, are working with community leaders to assist with the recovery in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. We recognize that this is a time for the legal community to step up and stand shoulder to shoulder with our colleagues and communities in the region during the long recovery ahead. NAPABA and our Florida affiliates, the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Tampa Bay, the Asian American Bar Association of South Florida, and the Greater Orlando Asian American Bar Association, are working to support community relief efforts following Hurricane Irma. To assist attorneys and community members find resources and information for the Asian Pacific American community, we have established the following toolkit to direct you to information and opportunities to engage with legal services organizations. We expect that there will be a need for bilingual attorneys in many languages, particularly those who speak the following Asian languages: Cambodian, Chinese (multiple dialects needed), Gujarati, Hindi, Hmong, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Vietnamese, and others. We also expect there will be a significant need for volunteers with knowledge of federal benefits, claims,immigration,and/or insurance law. Due to the nature of the disaster, these communities will need sustained help that last months and years. It is our hope that communities across the region receive the legal assistance they will need and that Asian Pacific American attorneys join those in service. We will continue to monitor the situation and work with local legal organizations to provide you with opportunities to assist the community. Disaster Relief Resources Texas Legal Hotline: 800-504-7030 Please call this number with all requests for legal assistance. Established by the State Bar of Texas in conjunction with Texas legal aid organizations. Offering assistance in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Florida Disaster Legal Hotline: 866-550-2929 Established by the Florida Bar and the American Bar Association to coordinate requests for legal assistance. A comprehensive site with centralized resources for attorneys, service providers, and those seeking assistance, including comprehensive information for those affected by Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma. A national project of Lone Star Legal Aid, the American Bar Association, the Legal Services Corporation, the National Legal Aid and Defender Association, the Texas Legal Services Center, and Pro Bono Net. State Bar of Texas Disaster Resources With information for attorneys and the public, the site contains contacts to key organizations, state agencies, volunteer, and pro bono legal services across the state. They have updated their site with videos and resources for the community. Louisiana State Bar Association With information for attorneys and the public, including displacement resources and volunteer legal services. With information for attorneys and the public, including local legal aid programs and volunteer opportunities. Texas Law Help: Harvey Disaster Relief and Recovery Resources Answering common questions about Hurricane Harvey legal relief. Florida Law Help: Irma Disaster Relief and Recovery Resources Answering common questions about Hurricane Irma legal relief. Tulane University: Disaster Preparedness Resource Guide with Assistance Hotlines guide is designed to help you navigate a natural disaster safely and knowledgeably by providing a preliminary list of reputable and reliable resources from government agencies and other organizations well-versed in disaster management. It focuses on three common types of natural disasters that occur in the Southeast: hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes.
Volunteer with the State Bar of Texas Out-of-State attorneys can volunteer to assist Harvey victims. The Texas Supreme Court has issued an order allowing out-of-sate lawyers to practice in Texas temporarily if they are displayed by Hurricane Harvey or volunteering to serve hurricane victims. Read more. Houston-area attorneys should sign-up with the Houston Volunteer Lawyers portal. Volunteer with the Florida Bar Helpline Florida-barred attorneys can join the pro bono database by signing up here. Lone Star Legal Aid provides legal aid and disaster relief across the affected areas of Texas. Volunteer attorneys are assisting at shelters and sites throughout Houston. Please note, some of their systems are down due to damage their Houston office suffered during the hurricane. Follow them on social media for the most up-to-date information. Texas RioGrande Legal Aid provides legal aid and disaster relief services in Texas. They have detailed resources on common issues in English and Spanish. They are working in partnership with the State Bar of Texas, Lone Star Legal Aid, and other legal aid providers.
Federal Emergency Management Agency: Hurricane Harvey Information Page FEMA’s landing page with information on Hurricane Harvey. Contains basic information in Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, Urdu, and Vietnamese. FEMA: Hurricane Irma Information Page FEMA: Filing a Flood Insurance Claim FEMA guidance in Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and other languages. This federal resource has information about applying for federal assistance following a disaster and other resources for survivors and affected business. It has additional information for community leaders. The federal Department of Education has activated their emergency contact center to provide information to schools, administrators, and individuals with student loans.
Texas Education Agency: Disaster Guidance The Texas Education Agency has prepared information for schools and students affected by the hurricane, including special information for those who are displaced due to the disaster or are homeless.
Texas Flood Insurance Program (pre-Sept. 1) Fact Sheet Texas’s property insurance law coverage changes on September 1. The attached community developed factsheet, translated in Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Thai, and Vietnamese provides information. Red Cross: Flood Safety Materials Basic information about dealing with a flood, including its aftermath in Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, Urdu, Vietnamese, and other languages. Local and National Bar Associations Houston Bar Association & Houston Volunteer Lawyers American Bar Association: Hurricane Harvey and Irma Resources
Inclusion on this list does not constitute an endorsement of the organization or group. All donors should do their own due diligence before making any contributions. Greater Houston Community Foundation (in conjunction with the City of Houston) OCA-Greater Houston Harvey AAPI Community Relief Fund Texas Access to Justice Foundation |
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