Two thirds of Katrina funds spent, much more needed.

Six months after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast of the United States, charities have disbursed more than $2 billion of the funds donated to them, according to a Washington Post report, Less than $1 billion for the monumental task of helping hundreds of thousands of storm victims rebuild their lives.

Two-thirds of the $3.27 billion raised by private nonprofit organizations went to help evacuees and other Katrina victims with immediate needs--cash, food and temporary shelter, medical care, tarps for damaged homes and school supplies for displaced children.

Charities and federal officials, will need to be stretched over years to rebuild lives and reconstruct the social fabric of the Gulf Coast--from job training to mental health counseling to rebuilding the homes of the poor to reestablishing arts organizations and paying clergy as they wait for their congregations to return.

* The American Red Cross has given out 84 percent of its Katrina and Rita donations.

* 50 cents of each donated dollar went out in cash to victims.

* 6 percent of contributions came in the form of supplies--building materials, food, water, clothing, heavy equipment--donated mostly by corporations.

* 56 percent of remaining donations are controlled by faith-based organizations.