In the aftermath of Hurricane Florence, officials with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services are encouraging nurses, physicians, behavioral health professionals and others interested in volunteering to help people impacted by the storm to get connected with the appropriate resources and organizations.
“North Carolinians are resilient and we will all work together to recover from this disaster,” said DHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen, M.D. “The outpouring of support from people across our state has been incredible and we want to make it as easy as possible for people to find opportunities to volunteer.”
How nurses can help: To get involved in relief efforts, nurses should contact the American Red Cross of Eastern North Carolina. More information is available at www.redcross.org/enc and on their ‘Become a Volunteer’ webpage. Out-of-state nurses interested in volunteering should also register with their state’s Emergency Management Department.
How physicians can help: Physicians interested in volunteering should refer to resources offered by the NC Medical Board.
How behavioral health professionals can help: Both in-state and out-of-state behavioral health professionals can help by registering with the North Carolina Psychological Association’s Disaster Response Network and by contacting the American Red Cross of Eastern North Carolina, which is coordinating mental health volunteers.
Social workers in North Carolina seeking information on how to help should refer to information offered by the North Carolina Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.
In addition, DHHS has more information about volunteering online at www.ncdhhs.gov/hurricane-florence-recovery-volunteers.