Thank you for this very necessary article.  As a California tourist trapped in the Superdome during Katrina, it was hard enough for us healthy, able-bodied folks.  For those in wheel chairs, with mental disabilities, or whose drugs had run out it was sheer torture.  People tried to help one another as much as possible but there's only so much one can do.

One important lesson I learned for those who serve meals during disasters is to develop a fair way so those who have family members who may be disabled and not mobile are able to get 2 meals without having to start over in the back of the long line.  This was a real problem and perhaps designating one person on the feeding line as a "floater" who can verify that the person has a immobile family member can go a long way to soothing the pain.  

Also there were no megaphones to better communicate with people in the disaster area.  This is a must.  Encouraging able bodied folks to be helpful and patient with one another is quite calming.  I have further suggestions but space is limited.

Paul Harris
Author, "Diary From the Dome, Reflections on Fear and Privilege During Katrina"