September 13, 2005 - The American Red Cross is responding to an unprecedented natural catastrophe and devoting every resource to this humanitarian relief effort. The American people can be confident the Red Cross will spare no effort to meet the needs of hundreds of thousands of Hurricane Katrina survivors.
Situation Updates: This disaster relief operation is constantly changing. All numbers are approximate. Please note the date of last update when using facts or numbers in news stories.
Red Cross Help for Survivors
Sheltering Operations
Since Hurricane Katrina made landfall, the Red Cross has provided nearly 2 million overnight stays in 895 shelters across 24 states and the District of Columbia. On Tuesday night, Sept. 13, the Red Cross housed more than 61,600 survivors in 327 shelters.
Relief Workers
Nearly 92,000 Red Cross workers from all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have responded to Katrina. During this effort, the Red Cross has trained an additional 74,000 people in specialized disaster relief skills.
Feeding Operations
The Red Cross, in coordination with the Southern Baptist Convention, has served more than 8.4 million hot meals and more than 6.6 million snacks to survivors of Hurricane Katrina. On Tuesday, Sept. 13, the Red Cross served more than 365,000 hot meals.
Financial Assistance
The Red Cross is expanding its efforts to provide financial assistance to upwards of three quarters of a million survivors dispersed across the nation. Assistance is provided in a variety of ways, including client assistance cards, vouchers, checks and cash.
Survivors can register for emergency financial assistance, 24 hours a day, by calling toll-free 1-800-975-7585. Due to the large number of survivors, phone lines may be overwhelmed.
Reuniting Families
Persons looking for loved ones can call 1-877-LOVED 1S (1-877-568-3317), or go to www.redcross.org and click on "Family Links Registry" to:
- Register yourself
- Register a loved one, or
- View the existing list of registrants
Family Links Registrants
More than 193,600 have been registered online.
Health & Preventative Care
Visit www.redcross.org or www.cdc.gov for information about health strategies and preventative measures for those in affected areas.
Disaster Mental Health
To date, more than 134,000 people have received Red Cross Disaster Mental Health services.
How to Help
To Volunteer
Contact your local Red Cross chapter to become a volunteer. Well-meaning individuals are urged not to report directly to the affected areas.
To Donate
Making a financial contribution is the best way to help, to donate:
Call 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish)
Make at secure, online donation at www.redcross.org
Visit an Official Red Cross (Cash) Donation Site (retailer locations or online)
Contact your local Red Cross chapter
View additional Red Cross Donation Tips
Funds Received
As of Sept. 13, 2005, it has received $653.4 million in gifts and pledges for the hurricane relief effort, of which an estimate $320.5 million has been received online.
The Red Cross has a four-star rating from Charity Navigator for its effective use of donations. At least 91 cents of every dollar donated to the American Red Cross goes directly to assist disaster victims.
Additional Resources & Information - To learn more about the coordination of efforts among the many organizations and agencies helping hurricane survivors and for additional resources, visit www.usafreedomcorps.gov.
Disclaimer
- American Red Cross
- All American Red Cross disaster assistance is provided at no cost, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. The Red Cross also supplies nearly half of the nation's lifesaving blood. This, too, is made possible by generous voluntary donations. To help the victims of disaster, you may make a secure online credit card donation or call 1-800-HELP NOW (1-800-435-7669) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Or you may send your donation to your local Red Cross or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013. To donate blood, please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543), or contact your local Red Cross to find out about upcoming blood drives. © Copyright, The American National Red Cross. All Rights Reserved.