Red Cross volunteer, Corey Baker, gives hope and help to others while helping residents at a shelter in Savannah, Georgia.
It’s been three weeks since Hurricane Debby’s destruction began in the southeast and more than 250 trained American Red Cross responders are still there, helping people impacted by the storm as they clean up their homes and plan their next steps.
Days before the storm hit, the American Red Cross began prepositioning supplies and mobilizing disaster-trained workers from around the country, including many volunteers from Georgia, to help people impacted by the storm.
In coordination with community partners and local officials, the Red Cross was ready with boots on the ground to help meet local communities’ needs, including providing safe shelter, meals and emotional support.
Navy veteran Demetrist Jackson, a lifelong resident of Savannah, Georgia, found refuge at a Red Cross evacuation shelter during Hurricane Debby. Feeling safe and secure, he shared with Red Crosser Grace Meinhofer how the Red Cross not only provided a place to stay but also connected him with social workers who are helping him plan his recovery.
RED CROSS RESPONSE Since our efforts in Georgia began, the Red Cross has coordinated the relief efforts with partners across the state. During the initial days of the storm, the Red Cross and partners in Georgia opened 5 emergency shelters and provided over 500 overnight stays for people seeking refuge from the storm. Red Cross teams are bringing relief services directly to people cleaning up their homes. This support includes delivering more than 6,600 relief supplies, cleanup kits and resources to families in Georgia who are recovering from the storm’s destruction. It also includes working with partners to deliver more than 7,000 meals and snacks to those in need.
Red Crossers are also providing basic health services and helping to replace items such as eyeglasses and prescription medications. Additionally, volunteers are completing assessments of the residential damage in affected communities to better understand what help families may need in the days and weeks ahead.
Red Cross volunteers load relief supplies onto vehicles headed out for delivery into communities impacted by Debby. Left to right: Patrick Wathen, Waymond Hackney, Jamie Hicks, Jim Copio.
While the current focus is on addressing the immediate needs of those affected, the Red Cross also plays a critical role in helping families and communities recover in the weeks and months after a disaster.
Find more information about Hurricane Debby here.
People urgently need aid now. You can help by making a financial donation or an appointment to give blood or platelets by visiting redcross.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).
BECOME A VOLUNTEER
Disasters are becoming more frequent and intense, which means that families are depending on Red Cross volunteers to provide comfort and support on a nearly continuous basis. Today, the organization is responding to twice as many major disasters as a decade ago. Our volunteers represent 90% of our workforce so to ensure we can be there for people in their darkest moments, we need more volunteers that are trained and ready to help. The need to help has never been greater. Join us to provide relief and hope when it matters most. Visit redcross.org/volunteer to sign up for opportunities with your local chapter.
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