CORE is Recognized in Washington D.C. as it Joins the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (NVOAD)

Press Release

LOS ANGELES – December 2023 – CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort) was honored to be invited to Washington, D.C., to be officially recognized as a member of National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (NVOAD). NVOAD is a robust collective of over 125 non-profits and organizations that coordinate to support disaster relief operations across the United States, with a presence in all 50 states and 6 territories.  

Officially joining NVOAD as a national member now, CORE’s collaboration with state-level VOADs dates back to 2022, when the organization responded to devastating floods that impacted communities in eastern Kentucky. 

Being recognized as a member of NVOAD is a point of pride for CORE, validating the years of hard work put in by thousands of CORE staff members and volunteers who have responded to natural disasters across the country — from hurricanes in Georgia, where CORE served 9,000 individuals to the wildfires in Hawaii, where CORE provided approximately 500 individuals with financial assistance and host household assistance program. 

Water is delivered to an elderly Mayking, Kentucky resident who had been without in the August heat following the 2022 Kentucky Floods. CORE Photo by Nilaya Sabnis.

CORE staff and a Civil Air Patrol volunteer unload boxes of supplies to be dispensed at a CORE-run Point of Distribution (POD) in Valdosta, Georgia, following Hurricane Idalia in September 2023. CORE Photo by Liam Storrings.

Principally, NVOAD serves as a way for national organizations to coordinate collective relief efforts quickly and efficiently in the wake of a natural disaster. This communication is key in reducing duplicated efforts between organizations, ensuring that through constructive collaboration and strategy, the maximum number of people are served across a wider area with services they desperately need. 

CORE is looking forward to joining the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Homeland Security, Congress, and other federal agencies in conversation and strategy-building to address issues of concern throughout the natural disaster cycle. CORE’s induction in the NVOAD will further efforts to network and collaborate with key stakeholders more efficiently to better serve and execute domestic programming.

“We are thrilled to join as an official member of National VOAD, joining a dynamic movement of allies dedicated to disaster relief and recovery. This membership marks a significant milestone in our journey, furthering our commitment to effective collaboration in times of crisis. We look forward to deepening our partnership with both National and State VOADs, leveraging our unique strengths to enhance the collective footprint of this esteemed network,” said George Hernandez Mejia, Director of Emergency Operations, Domestic at CORE. “Our goal is to contribute to the resilience and recovery of communities affected by disasters, ensuring that aid is swift, efficient, and compassionate. Together, we stand stronger in the face of adversity, ready to make a lasting impact on the lives of those in need.”

George Hernandez Mejia tarps the roof of a home in Tamiami Village, an age 55 and up community in North Fort Myers, in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. CORE Photo by Liam Storrings.

About CORE

Founded by Sean Penn and Ann Lee, CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort) is a global crisis response organization that brings immediate relief and long-term recovery solutions to underserved communities. When a crisis strikes, CORE responds immediately to fill gaps, mobilize resources, and establish trust and collaboration from within communities. CORE has played a pivotal role in providing critical relief to marginalized and vulnerable populations since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine as it continues its mission of empowering communities in and beyond crises worldwide. For more information, see www.coreresponse.org and follow CORE on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. 