Red Cross volunteer Tere Shannon checks on Baton Rouge shelter resident Elizabeth Ramirez. Trained Red Cross volunteers like Tere are helping evacuees cope as they await news about whether they will have a home to return to. Volunteers are also replacing prescription medications, eyeglasses or critical medical equipment, like canes and wheelchairs, which were left behind in the rush to get to safety. Photo by Scott Dalton/American Red Cross
Misinformation, scams and rumors can become widespread during disasters, making it more difficult for people to access help in the devastating aftermath of an event. The American Red Cross tirelessly provides aid, comfort and safety to those who have been affected by disasters – but we ask for your help to stop the spread of rumors and misinformation by doing three things:
During these challenging times, the need for financial support can be great. To best protect you and your family, do not trust anyone who offers financial assistance and asks for money or personal information.
RUMOR: The Red Cross is paying for hotel rooms for those affected by Hurricane Ida.
Fact: We are not providing hotel vouchers or offering financial assistance at this time. We are aware that many individuals and families in affected areas are looking for safe places to stay, and we do have group shelters open and available for those who need a roof over their head, a warm meal and other basic support. Anyone who needs a safe place to stay, please call 211, visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or download the free Red Cross Emergency app. You can also text LASHELTER to 898-211 or NOLAREADY to 77295. Louisianans who are currently out of the state can reach 211 by calling 800-755-5175.
September 3, 2021
RUMOR: The Red Cross isn’t answering calls for help.
Fact: When faced with a disaster, many look to the Red Cross for help — and we are committed to helping those with disaster-caused needs. Unfortunately, right now, we are experiencing a high call volume and ask for your patience during this time as we work with local officials to ensure that people affected by Hurricane Ida have a safe place to stay. Anyone who needs a safe place to stay, please call 211, visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or download the free Red Cross Emergency app. You can also text LASHELTER to 898-211 or NOLAREADY to 77295. Louisianans who are currently out of the state can reach 211 by calling 800-755-5175.
September 3, 2021
RUMOR: The Red Cross is giving gas cards to people who evacuated and can’t get back home.
Fact: We know that disasters can disrupt many things, including not being able to get back home. At this time, the Red Cross is providing items like comfort kits, gas cards, mental health services and spiritual care for people who had to evacuate from Louisiana from areas that were impacted by Hurricane Ida. Please contact the Red Cross office closest to your location, which you can find at redcross.org, and they can advise what assistance is currently available.
September 3, 2021
RUMOR: The Red Cross is providing financial assistance.
Fact: We are working around the clock with our partners to provide help to people struggling with the heartbreaking damage caused by Hurricane Ida. Right now, we are focused on providing safe shelter, meals and comfort for people in need, and hundreds of Red Cross workers are on the ground to support relief efforts. In addition to shelters and meals, Red Cross teams are distributing cleaning supplies to help residents clean up, and in some of the hardest hit areas, Red Cross response vehicles are circulating through accessible areas distributing critical supplies including water, comfort kits and ready to eat meals. We are also working with partners to set up mobile kitchens capable of preparing thousands of meals to be delivered to people in the hardest hit areas struggling to recover. Our work is just beginning, and we are working with our partners to help people recover for weeks and months ahead.
We also encourage people affected by Hurricane Ida in Louisiana or Mississippi to apply for federal Disaster Assistance at disasterassistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362 (TTY 1-200-462-7585).
September 3, 2021
RUMOR: The Red Cross is only helping in certain areas.
Fact: Many areas, neighborhoods and roads are still inaccessible due to the damage caused by Hurricane Ida – and might remain so for several days to come, but we are making every effort to get into additional affected areas as quickly as possible, and as conditions improve. Anyone who needs a safe place to stay, please call 211, visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or download the free Red Cross Emergency app. You can also text LASHELTER to 898-211 or NOLAREADY to 77295. Louisianans who are currently out of the state can reach 211 by calling 800-755-5175.
September 3, 2021
RUMOR: You have to show your COVID-19 vaccination card to get into a shelter.
Fact: Everyone is welcome at Red Cross shelters, regardless of their vaccination status. Red Cross staff will be wearing face masks – and we require people staying in our shelters to wear face masks, regardless of vaccination status, to protect everyone’s health and safety. If you do not have a face mask, we will be happy to provide one for you.
September 3, 2021
RUMOR: If I don’t wear a mask, I can’t come to a shelter.
Fact: Everyone is welcome at Red Cross shelters regardless of vaccination status. However, to best protect everyone’s health and safety, we do require that each person wears a face mask. If you do not have a face mask, we will be happy to provide one for you. Where individuals are unwilling or unable to wear a face covering, we will work with local public health officials to determine the best solution – which may mean caring for individuals in a separate location at that shelter site, or if space and resources allow, at another location.
September 3, 2021
RUMOR: The Red Cross needs donations of clothing and household goods.
Fact: The Red Cross does not accept donations of clothing or household goods; please contact local organizations near you – such as the Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity and Salvation Army, which specialize in this work. As always, we so appreciate the sentiment that people want to give back to those in need during times of disaster, and financial donations are the quickest and most direct way to get help to those in need. Financial donations can be accessed quickly and allow more flexibility to give people what they need most. Unfortunately, in all cases, due to health code regulations, the Red Cross cannot accept donations of homecooked meals or food items not prepared in a commercial kitchen.
September 3, 2021
RUMOR: My donation won’t go to help victims of Hurricane Ida.
Fact: Financial donations of any size help us provide aid and comfort to those who need it most during heartbreaking disasters. When we receive donations in support of a specific disaster, those funds will only be used for that disaster response. Donors can designate their donation to Hurricane Ida when donating on redcross.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767). Any designated funds that we raise beyond what is needed for emergency relief will go toward providing longer-term support in affected communities. As always, the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross would not be possible without our donors and we appreciate all those who have already financially supported our relief efforts.
September 3, 2021
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
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