Red Cross response to Katrina update

Editor’s note: The American Red Cross of the Delamarva Peninsula released this update Sept. 7 on its response to the disaster along the Gulf Coast caused by Hurricane Katrina.

11:27 a.m., Sept. 8, 2005--The American Red Cross is responding to a catastrophe of enormous and previously unimaginable scale and continues to meet the challenge of providing relief to tens of thousands of survivors of Hurricane Katrina, which plowed a wide path of destruction through the Gulf Coast just over one week ago.

The sheer volume of people affected, as well as the extensive geographical area impacted, will require long-term massive feeding and sheltering operations for many months to come. Remember, 90,000 square miles have been affected—about the same size as Great Britain.

Red Cross workers and resources are on the ground across the Gulf State area and Southern Florida. Red Cross is actively serving the needs of Hurricane Katrina’s victims as they walk into local Red Cross chapters across the country and stands ready to support the response of local government entities in welcoming large numbers of evacuees in various states.

Margi Prueitt, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula, said: "This is an emergency response that is unprecedented in its size and scope. Our people are working nonstop to provide compassion and resources in the midst of all of us. We will remain focused and strong as we overcome any logistical obstacles to providing care. We are staying the course and will continue to feed, shelter and provide for the immediate basic necessities of the thousands who need our help. We thank the American people for supporting these efforts as we set up the systems that will allow us to continue to help people for many months to come."

Since Hurricane Katrina first slammed ashore in Florida, the American Red Cross has housed 142,121 survivors in more than 487 shelters in 16 states, with additional shelters on standby as needed.

The American Red Cross has served more than 3.3 million hot meals to survivors of Hurricane Katrina since before first landfall.

More than 5,600 trained Red Cross workers have left their homes in every corner of the United States to join thousands of local volunteers who responded immediately to help their neighbors in impacted areas.

So far, 117 Red-Cross trained volunteers have been deployed from the American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula, including four nurses, and many more are on stand-by. Expedited disaster training is being offered at offices throughout Red Cross offices throughout Delaware and Maryland for those interested in going down south to assist those affected.

Hundreds of computers arrived at the Astrodome earlier this week to assist in the digital registration of thousands of Houston shelter residents, which will also be added to the Family Links Registry to help family members reconnect.

In the wake of the devastation, the potential for illness and injury is heightened. Storm survivors are particularly vulnerable due to flood conditions, damaged sanitation and water treatment systems, and public shelter situations.

Finding missing people

Persons looking for loved ones can go to [www.redcross.org] and click on “Family Links Registry” to register themselves or missing relatives or to view the existing list of registrants. To date, more than 44,000 people have registered on the "Family Links" web site. Those who do not have Internet access should call toll-free 1-877-LOVED-1S (1-877-568-3317).

Housing

The Red Cross is working with our government partners to shelter large numbers of displaced people, but cannot coordinate the donation of individual homes for this use. The Red Cross provides shelter to large numbers of people in its shelters and will work with community members and groups seeking to care for individuals displaced by Hurricane Katrina. The Red Cross will work with these groups to provide immediate emergency assistance such as food and basic necessities in conjunction with a community plan of action. In all of these collaborative efforts, the American Red Cross will strive to ensure that all appropriate entities are in the planning groups; state and local government representatives, community agencies and organizations. We recognize the enormity of the task ahead and understand that only by coordinated efforts will we, as a nation, be able to effectively and in a timely manner meet the emergency needs of evacuees and help them begin the long process of rebuilding their lives.

How you can help

Medical professionals interested in volunteering, call 1-800-KAT-MEDI for information or contact your local chapter.

Search and rescue professionals willing to volunteer in Mississippi, contact the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency Search and Rescue Support at (601) 360-0937 to receive credentials. Only proper credentials will permit travel past roadblocks.

The Red Cross is collaborating with many different agencies as it focuses on providing immediate services including food, clothing and shelter. Other groups handle other specialized aspects of the operation:

Companies or organizations that have resources that may be made available to response agencies, please register with the National Emergency Resource Center.

Companies, manufacturers or retailers wishing to donate a full truckload of dry-storage food products, should call 1-800-771-2303 and ask for Second Harvest’s Food Sourcing Department.

Corporations wanting to sponsor a load of goods and the shipping costs may do so through Convoy of Hope.

To support water clean-up efforts, contact Water Missions International.

Those who want to assist with animal rescue operations should contact the Humane Society of the United States or the American Humane Association.

The Red Cross is unable to accept small, individual donations or collections of items, such as clothing, food or cleaning supplies.

The best way to help is by making a financial contribution to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. The Disaster Relief Fund enables the Red Cross, through its network of nearly 900 local chapters, to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need due to this disaster and thousands of other disasters across the country each year. $439.2 million has been donated to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund as at Sept 7. Contributions continue to be greatly needed.

Airline miles can now be donated at [www.redcross.org/donate/donatemiles.html].

For more information about Hurricane Katrina, how you can help and general hurricane preparedness tips, visit [www.redcrossdelmarva.org].

American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of this and thousands of other disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. You can make a secure donation online at [www.redcrossdelmarva.org], call toll free 1-800-777-6620 or mail your gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, PO Box 831, Wilmington DE 19899

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