In one of the largest emergency airlifts in US history, thousands of survivors are air lifted out of New Orleans.
Up to forty aircraft have been working round the clock clearing thousands of survivors from the horrific conditions in the Superdome and convention centre in New Orleans. This comes almost a week after Hurricane Katrina hit the city of New Orleans. The US government says it is now in control of the city and officials say the number of people killed in Hurricane Katrina could be in the thousands.
The tragedy of Hurricane Katrina is one that has left the poor and the dispossessed quite literally behind.
These people who have been staying at the Superdome and the convention centre in New Orleans since losing their homes as a result of the hurricane have endured heat, thirst and in some cases violence as they waited all week to be rescued.
Survivors of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans (2005)
With the arrival of the military in New Orleans, the relief effort has now belatedly kicked in.
The long and torturous week has left many shattered.
Survivors of the flooding in New Orleans are being convoyed to the airport by bus to take onward flights to other US cities that have agreed to accept refugees.
Many don't know where they will end up or what has happened to their loved ones.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 4 September 2005. The reporter is Robert Shortt.
