I relocated to Richmond, Virginia, yesterday to visit with family and assess the possiblity of relocating here. These are issues all Katrina survivors are dealing with now. I'm hoping for a new phone number and mailing address soon, which I'll post.

Two more responses to aid requests have come in. From Joseph E. Farren, Director of Public Affairs for CTIA - The Wireless Association, comes this reply:

"Please be assured that the wireless industry is doing everything humanly possible to not only restore service in impacted areas but also provide displaced and stranded residents with access to critical telecommunications services.   We are working around-the-clock with federal, state and local officials in New Orleans to make this happen as soon as possible.   Our thoughts and prayers are with you and every person affected by this horrific storm."

I have asked Mr. Farren to please *quantify* the nature of CTIA's efforts: how many phones are being sent, where are they, who is distributing them. Pre-paid cell phones are still desperately needed in the area.

I received a call from Mike Militana, in PepsiCo Inc.'s cutomer affairs department to inform me that Pepsi has already shipped 9000 cases of 1-quart Aquafina water into the area and another 12,000 cases of water are being prepared for shipment. Pepsi lost a major bottling plant in Harrahan, Louisiana. PepsiCo food and water aid is being distirbuted by Second Harvest, among other relief groups. PepsiCo is matching employee donations to relief agencies and has upped their initial $100,000 donation to the Red Cross to $1 million for the Red Cross and $1 million for the Salvation Army.

The water crisis has eased in New Orleans, but obviously water will be needed for some time to come. I thank PepsiCo for providing numerical details about the level of their assistance.

STEVE O'KEEFE
IAOC Vice President
New Orleans Refugee