I am writing in response to the letter, "Government not to blame for lives lost in New Orleans," Jan. 20. I completely concur that our government is not to blame for the immense loss of life due to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita (the death toll now stands at more than 1,300), but this does not excuse the lack of effort in reconstruction by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

After spending a week volunteering in Biloxi, Miss., it quickly became apparent that volunteers, not government workers, were making nearly all relief efforts. Surely this situation is unfortunate, but now is not the time to argue over who is to blame. Where our government falls short, it is our responsibility as Americans to help each other out.