Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD) is an association of non-profit and faith-based organizations that work together to mitigate and alleviate the impact of disasters, provides a forum promoting cooperation, communication, coordination and collaboration; and fosters more effective delivery of services to communities affected by disaster. One example of how the MA VOAD supports survivors after a disaster is through Recovery Resource Centers. A Recovery Resource Center (RRC) is a single, “one stop shop” location where public and private organizations come together to assist disaster survivors. The specific types of assistance and services that can be coordinated by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) at a RRC will be determined by collaboration among MEMA, local officials, participating local and state agencies, voluntary community organizations, businesses, academic institutions and local charities, according to the needs of the impacted community and available resources. Learn more about VOAD and RRCs and how local organizations such as MRCs can assist.
