Carol Spruell deployed on Catholic Charities USA Disaster Operations Team

10/6/2009--Baton Rouge, LA--Catholic Charities Diocese of the Diocese of Baton Rouge (CCDBR) has deployed its Communications Director, Carol Spruell, to American Samoa as part of a Catholic Charities USA Disaster Operations team. During her weeklong stay, she’ll assist with the national organization’s relief and recovery work following the recent earthquake and tsunami that devastated the island territory.

“Since becoming the lead case management agency after Katrina, CCDBR has more experience in disasters of this magnitude as any other in the country,” said David Aguillard, Executive Director.  “Carol in particular is skilled at assessing a situation and communicating on-the-ground needs in a manner that compels people to take note and act.  Our staff is in high demand when the subject of disaster response and relief is on the table.”

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“Following both Katrina and Gustav, most of the CCUSA network agencies supported our response efforts here in Baton Rouge,” continued Aguillard. “It’s an honor to reciprocate with the lessons learned following our work following Katrina and Gustav.  We anticipate that after Carol returns, others from our agency will fill in behind her.”

“I feel honored to be offered this opportunity,” Spruell added. “Many on the island have lost everything, just like those affected by Hurricane Katrina and Gustav. My hope is to take some of the lessons we learned after those disasters and translate them into their landscape.”

“The preliminary reports and assessments that we have seen to date indicate a huge need for help with basic human services and provisions,” said Rev. Larry Snyder, President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA. “Members of our Disaster Response Operations team are heading there to further determine the full scope of the need and to help in any way we can.”

At the present time, various Diocese and Catholic Social Services building facilities are providing shelter for both victims and relief workers. Catholic Charities USA has sent an immediate $10,000 grant to the Diocese of Samoa-Pago Pago. The Catholic Charities USA Disaster Response Operations team will arrive on the ground Thursday(10/8). The initial team consists of members from CCUSA headquarters and from Catholic Charities agencies in New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Catholic Charities of Hawaii is prepared to provided additional disaster relief workers should the need exist.

“These team members have extensive disaster response experience from their work with Katrina, Gustav, Ike and the Iowa floods,” added Fr. Snyder. “This is another example of our Catholic Charities network coming together to help hard hit areas”

Spruell will serve as the CCUSA Public Information Officer during her deployment, tasked with documenting the organization’s relief work and internal communications. She’ll arrive in Pago Pago on Thursday evening and is set to return to Baton Rouge the following Sunday. Others from the agency may follow upon her return.

Spruell is the agency’s Communications Coordinator and has been with the organization for 11 years. Additionally, Spruell teaches a course on communication after disaster to the CCUSA member agencies and serves on the steering committee for the CCUSA Development-Communications Membership Committee.

Catholic Charities USA has begun the 2009 Tsunami Fund with a message of “Your Help Is Needed Now!” to accept donations on its Web site—http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org.