DRT Returns to Continue Houston Recovery

IRUSA Disaster Response Team to Hold Home-Rebuilding Sessions in Hurricane Harvey-Ravaged Houston, Texas

Islamic Relief USA’s (IRUSA) Disaster Response Team (DRT) will hold two week-long sessions of its popular, ongoing home rebuilding project in Houston, Texas, repairing houses that were damaged by Hurricane Harvey in 2017.

Volunteers will lodge at the new dormitory, made possible by a grant from the American Red Cross, among other resources. The dorm will house dozens of people, helping create a spirit of teamwork, camaraderie, and mission. The first week-long session is scheduled for Feb. 23-29. The next opportunity to volunteer is during the week of March 15-21. Slots are still available.

“We are truly grateful for our volunteers and their commitment to service,” said Araif Yusaff, manager of DRT. “Recovery is a long process that can last for years. We need to continue to support communities, such as Houston, that are recovering from disasters for as long as we can, because the road to recovery is a difficult one. I am truly proud of IRUSA’s volunteers because their commitment to provide assistance and answer the call to service on an ongoing basis is truly inspiring. I also wanted to extend our sincerest gratitude to our partners in Houston, especially the American Red Cross and SBP.

Among the tasks volunteers will do include dry wall installation, muddling, painting, trim work, and flooring.

Prior construction experience is not required, just a strong willingness to learn, work hard, and to follow instructions.

The dormitory will provide an important central location for volunteers from all VOAD organizations and to provide assistance for home repairs.

IRUSA is committed to the city of Houston for the long term, as DRT focuses more on rebuilding communities following natural disasters, in addition to rescue and response.

In 2018, IRUSA presented a check for $50,000 to Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, whose office launched a relief fund.

DRT has remained busy the past few years. It recently participated in relief work in Puerto Rico, which was recently struck by hurricanes and is still reeling from Hurricane Maria. In 2017, DRT repaired several homes in the community of Tarboro, North Carolina.