LOS ANGELES, Dec. 30, 2020 — The American Red Cross Los Angeles Region in partnership with many community coalitions, which includes the California Community Foundation and Mayor Eric Garcetti’s office, have joined together to assemble 20,000 COVID-19 safety kits.

The safety kits are part of a rapid-response operation the Red Cross initiated to focus resources on Los Angeles’ most vulnerable communities, including Westlake, Pico Union, East LA and Compton. The communities, which are at most risk of social vulnerability and physical hardship in an event of a major disaster, are experiencing a devastating number of cases and deaths due to COVID-19. This warranted an immediate intervention to prevent the spread across the county.

For the past seven years, the Red Cross has worked in these communities to help prepare them for disaster, and now that preparation is critically needed for Angelenos facing the devastating effects of this slow-moving disaster.

“We assessed needs and gaps to come up with a rapid response operation to help the most vulnerable communities that continue to be the hardest hit,” said Norma Vega, Chief Strategy & External Relations Officer for the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region. “For the past seven years, the Red Cross has worked in these communities to help prepare them for disaster and preparing Angelenos during this slow-moving disaster is part of that work.”

SEE: Red Cross volunteers assembling COVID-19 safety kits (Flickr)

ALSO SEE: Video message from Mayor Eric Garcetti (YouTube)

The 20,000 custom drawstring bags feature basic COVID-19 safety graphics as an easy reference and reminder of health guidelines. All bags are filled with hand sanitizer, a face mask, COVID-19 testing tips and a waterproof envelope for essential emergency documents.

Red Cross PrepareLA partners from East LA, Compton, Huntington Park, Wilmington Park, El Monte and Pomona coalitions will distribute the assembled COVID-19 safety kits, along with the Boyle Heights Arts Conservatory and Casa de la Cultura Maya beginning this week.

PrepareLA, a subset of the Red Cross PrepareSoCal campaign launched in 2012, builds community resilience through education, engagement and training. PrepareLA gives Los Angeles’ communities and their leaders the tools and a voice in planning for their specific disaster preparedness needs. More information on PrepareLA and available resources can be found at preparesocal.org.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/la or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossLA or @CruzRojaLA.