The American Red Cross is working tirelessly to help people devastated by Hurricane Ian. Many communities are unrecognizable after the storm and volunteers from all 50 states and the District of Columbia are helping those affected and will be helping them recover for weeks and months to come.
“People’s lives were turned upside down by this massive storm,” said Shawn Schulze, CEO of the Louisiana Region of the American Red Cross. “Here in Louisiana, we know as well as anyone that they need our help now. Please consider making a donation to help people affected by disasters or becoming a Red Cross volunteer today.”
To date, Louisiana has sent 17 trained disaster workers and four emergency response vehicles to help with the response to Hurricane Ian. The Louisiana Red Crossers who raised their hands to help hail from throughout the state, including Baton Rouge, Bogalusa, Church Point, Franklin, New Orleans, Slidell and Shreveport.
The Red Cross and its partners are providing a safe place to stay, food to eat and a shoulder to lean on as people begin to pick up the pieces after the storm. Shelters are open across the affected areas, Red Cross emergency vehicles are delivering food and relief supplies, and volunteers are helping families cope and replacing prescription medications, eyeglasses or critical medical equipment like canes and wheelchairs.
More than 1,800 trained Red Cross disaster workers have supported the response to Ian. The Red Cross and its partners have opened 72 emergency shelters, where more than 6,300 individuals have sought refuge for a combined 11,279 overnight stays. Disaster workers have served nearly 207,000 meals and snacks.
Red Cross will be working side-by-side with partners to help people in need for weeks and months to come. More information to help people affected by Hurricane Ian is available redcross.org, 1-800-RED CROSS. Financial donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster.
The most urgently needed volunteer positions are available for viewing at redcross.org/volunteertoday