MINOT, ND - The Souris Valley Long Term Recovery’s Unmet Needs Committee has given $1,252,546 million to 2,454 flood victims since the 2011 Souris River flood.

“Since the first day of the flood, Souris Valley United Way has assisted the community as fiscal agent for the Souris River Basin Unmet Needs Committee,” said Patricia Smith of the Souris Valley United Way. “We wish the best for all as they continue their road to recovery.”

The Unmet Needs Committee is part of the Souris Valley Long Term Recovery committee, which provides collaboration between others in the community to assist with volunteer, financial, spiritual, physical and emotional support for people whose lives were ravaged by the 2011 Souris River flood.

Unmet Needs works directly with individuals who have serious needs finding ways to deliver help without duplicating what other agencies can or have provided. Its clients came through the RAFT case management system.

RAFT, or Resource Agency Flood Team, was developed in the floods of 1997. It has been used in numerous disasters since, both in North and South Dakota.

 “RAFT is a consortium of several faith-based and one agency-based VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) groups, each of whom trains in common, to share in disaster case management,” said Pastor Debra Ball-Kilbourne of Faith United Methodist Church. “In the Souris Valley flood, 1,011 individuals and families were served by RAFT.”

After a RAFT case manager verified need and identified a housing plan with a survivor, the Unmet Needs Committee reviewed all need and awarded funds based on a point system. Points were awarded based on levels of need.

“As a result, many were provided with hope, comfort, and additional financial resources for which they were able to apply because they became aware of them through case management,” Ball-Kilbourne said.

“Disaster case management — such as that provided by RAFT — is the backbone of flood recovery,” Ball-Kilbourne explained. “We are grateful for the 40 volunteer and three paid RAFT case managers that comprised RAFT since the flood.” 

Unmet Needs committees are created after a major disaster and are funded by donations and grants.  All funds are now exhausted. Anyone who wants to contribute to future disasters can send donations to the Souris River Basin Unmet Needs Committee c/o Souris Valley United Way, 15 2nd Ave SW #102, Minot, ND 58701.

Photo:  Photo by Mark DuBose, United Methodist News Service.  Rev. Debra Ball-Killbourne scans the damage of the Souris River in July 2011.