In the recovery phase of a natural or man-made disaster, national and local aid organizations work around the clock to bring vital services to those who are suffering.

But this work has often been hampered by the inability of disaster relief organizations to quickly and effectively communicate with one another about client needs and services offered. That is why seven leading organizations came together to form the Coordinated Assistance Network, or CAN.

CAN partners participate in community-led preparedness and response coalitions that focus on ways to best apply resources to most effectively serve those in need.

CAN works within these coalitions to develop innovative solutions that make tangible improvements in the way that relief and recovery services are provided to individuals and communities as a whole.

For example, before CAN was deployed during the Florida hurricane season of 2004, clients had to register personal information with every agency with which they came in contact. After deployment, partners could share secure, up-to-date information about clients and services via the CAN web site, ensuring timely delivery of services and eliminating duplication of effort.

The result? Relief efforts are better coordinated and therefore more effective. And clients needing services from those agencies no longer have to repeat their information over and over in an already stressful time.

CAN In Action

The CAN Interagency Portal enables collaboration between partner organizations and ensures timely delivery of services, without partners or disaster victims duplicating effort.

This collaboration creates a single point of case data that provides local organizations with the information needed to effectively delegate resources and best serve those in need.