American Red Cross Responds To Hurricane Gustav

Main Category: Aid / Disasters
Also Included In: Water - Air Quality / Agriculture
Article Date: 04 Sep 2008 - 3:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

Hurricane Gustav created a critical need for overnight shelters, food supplies and emotional support. To swiftly respond following Gusta's landfall along the Gulf Coast, the American Red Cross moved disaster relief supplies that were pre-positioned near Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama for hurricane season 2008.

Members of the Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program helped provide funding to enable the Red Cross to pre-position these supplies and rush disaster relief services to the affected communities.Prior to landfall and throughout the region, the Red Cross proactively deployed mobile feeding trucks and trailer support trucks - containing thousands of cots, blankets, comfort kits and ready-to-eat meals.The Red Cross is currently sheltering, feeding and providing mental health counseling to help both victims and emergency personnel. Additional financial donations are needed to support ongoing Red Cross relief efforts and in preparation of Hurricane Hanna, Tropical Storm Ike and Tropical Storm Josephine.

The Red Cross will continue to mobilize volunteers and supplies, such as clean-up kits, into the affected areas as local authorities allow entry. Red Cross case workers will work with individuals and families to provide additional assistance based on the damage sustained to their homes, and will provide emotional care and comfort to help residents and emergency workers manage the stress and fear that accompanies all disasters.

"Donations from our Annual Disaster Giving Program members enabled the Red Cross to provide life-saving support in response to Hurricane Gustav," said Jeffrey Towers, chief development officer at the American Red Cross."These funds, coupled with the support of the American public, are critical during hurricane season and enable the Red Cross to rush immediate relief to disaster victims before the first donation has been given."

Annual Disaster Giving Program members pledge donations on an on-going basis, in advance of major disasters, to help the Red Cross ensure an immediate response to meet the needs of those affected by disasters of all sizes, at no cost and regardless of income.

People can join the Annual Disaster Giving Program members in supporting the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund and help provide food, shelter, counseling and other assistance to the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the Hurricanes of 2008. Log-on to www.redcross.org or call 1-800- HELP NOW (1-800-435-7669) to make a donation.

Members of the Annual Disaster Giving Program:

American Express
AT&T
AXA Foundation
ConAgra Foods
FedEx Corporation
JCPenney Company Fund
Kimberly-Clark Corporation
Merck & Co, Inc.
MorganStanley
Raytheon Company
State Farm
State Street Foundation
Target
The TJX Companies, Inc.

All 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 thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the Hurricanes of 2008, 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 victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC20013.

American Red Cross