New chief vows to find homes for survivors

THE new acting director of the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) yesterday pledged to intensify efforts to find more permanent housing for the tens of thousands of Hurricane Katrina survivors in shelters.

“We’re going to get those people out of the shelters, and we’re going to move and get them the help they need,” David Paulison said in his first public comments since taking the job.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff introduced Mr Paulison as the Bush administration tried to deflect criticism for the sluggish initial federal response to the hurricane and its disastrous aftermath.