Statements by DHS Secretary Napolitano and HUD Secretary Donovan on Today’s Disaster Recovery Stakeholder Forum in New York

New York, N.Y. - The Long Term Disaster Recovery Working Group today held its second of five planned stakeholder forums in New York, designed to encourage stakeholders to provide direct input and ideas for disaster recovery.

The Working Group - co-chaired by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan - is a high-level, strategic initiative that will recommend future improvements and help inform and develop a National Disaster Recovery Framework to provide operational guidance for recovery organizations

“We are committed to ensuring a more resilient nation in which individuals, communities and the economy can adapt to changing conditions and rapidly recover from disasters of all kinds,” said Secretary Napolitano. “These forums are providing valuable input and feedback to strengthen our disaster recovery capabilities nationwide.”

“The stakeholder meetings ensure that the vital voices of disaster recovery professionals and stakeholders are heard as we move forward to improve disaster recovery efforts,” said Secretary Donovan. “It allows those on the ground to tell us what works and what doesn’t in responding to natural disasters.”

To learn more about the Working Group’s initiatives and upcoming stakeholder meetings in Los Angeles, Salt Lake City and Memphis, view the questions posed to stakeholders in today’s meeting, or provide direct feedback on disaster recovery, visit DisasterRecoveryWorkingGroup.gov.