International human rights law provides protections for victims of disasters like Hurricane Katrina. Amnesty International USA calls upon authorities in the local, state and federal government to uphold the rights of all Katrina evacuees to return to their homes. We urge officials to provide long-term, healthy, and affordable housing so that survivors can exercise their right to return.
Many residents of the Gulf coast region were evacuated because of Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. Nearly three years later, why are survivors who want to return still stranded and displaced?
» Ensure that hurricane Katrina survivors have the right to return home!
» View the Story of Katrina slideshow
News
Save public housing in gulf coast regionWe Care concert
Amnesty International USA partnered with the Hip Hop Caucus on March 19th to host the We Care concert in support of Hurricane Katrina survivors.
» Gather signatures for the Right to Return Home petition (PDF)
Morello's Justice Tour supports katrina survivorsMorello's Justice tour
Musician's relief organization, Sweet Home New Orleans, joined Amnesty International USA for two days of education, advocacy and music.
» Read more about Morello's Justice Tour in New Orleans
» See pictures from the event on Flickr
Housing as a Human Right
Housing is a human right
The right to adequate housing guarantees access to a safe, habitable, and affordable home with protection against forced eviction. After nearly three years, Hurricane Katrina survivors are still defending their rights to proper housing.
» Learn why housing is a human right
Survivor Stories
Odessia Lewis, hurricane survivor
Lafitte public housing is one of many affordable housing options that are being taken away from Hurricane Katrina survivors. Many public housing units are being demolished to make way for more expensive housing developments. Odessia Lewis lived in Lafitte public housing prior to Hurricane Katrina.
» Read Odessia's story
Take Action
human rights disaster - hurricane katrina
Years after the human rights disaster of Hurricane Katrina, thousands remain displaced because of an absence of affordable housing. Rent increases are up more than 40% and the majority of public housing still shuttered.
» Uphold Hurricane Katrina survivors right to return home
Uphold the Right of Return
Urge your Senator to support legislation so New Orleans residents can exercise their right to return home. More than two years have passed since the human rights disaster of Hurricane Katrina, and still New Orleans residents are displaced because of a lack of affordable housing.
» Take action today!
» U.N. Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement (PDF)
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