Red Cross Honors Survivors Of Hurricane Rita

Just one month after Katrina devastated parts of Louisiana and the Mississippi coast, another storm threatened. Those who had evacuated and sought shelter towards the West needed to evacuate again-along with hundreds of thousands of others-to avoid Hurricane Rita. The Red Cross remains dedicated to the recovery efforts along the Gulf Coast even as it responds to current emergency needs across the nation.


Hurricane Rita sent shockwaves of fear throughout the already hard-hit areas. America responded again to this bleak vision with an outpouring of support and assistance. Thousands more volunteers mobilized to support the continuation of the largest domestic relief operation in the history of the Red Cross. During the emergency phase of the response to hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Red Cross provided 3.2 million overnight stays in Red Cross shelters, served more than 40 million meals and snacks and provided emergency assistance to nearly more than 1.4 million households.


The Hurricane Recovery Program (HRP) has been working hard in Southwest Louisiana and Deep East Texas to help families that were affected by Hurricane Rita through emotional support for recovery programs, grants to area nonprofits for community reliance programming, and helping survivors plan their recovery and find the necessary resources to meet that plan. In Southwest Louisiana and Deep East Texas more than $1,000,000 has been distributed to help survivors move towards a safe and sustainable recovery and the numbers continue to grow every day.


"The people in Southwest Louisiana and East Texas are resilient, but the Red Cross is proud to be able to stand with them as they rebuild their communities," commented Russ Paulsen, Executive Director of the Hurricane Recovery Program. "They came to the aid of people who were evacuating because of Katrina, and then-all of a sudden-they needed people to come to their aid. The Red Cross was there two years ago, and we're still there today."


The progress in the region over the past two years is unmistakable. Yet, the vision of closed schools and businesses, and residents living in trailers outside their still uninhabitable homes persists. The Red Cross encourages everyone to continue to support local Red Cross chapters and other groups that continue to work in these communities. The 2005 storms taught all of us that aggressive action is needed by families, communities and groups such as the Red Cross. The Red Cross has gotten ready for the next big event by tripling its warehouse space, increasing stockpiles of food, cots, and blankets, increasing the number of kitchens and feeding trucks, and positioning satellite communications equipment across the nation. Individuals and families can get ready too by taking three simple steps:


- Get a Kit: Build a disaster supplies kit including water, non-perishable food, radio, flashlight and extra batteries for both, a first aid kit, and necessary medications. Store important family documents (wills, passports, insurance policies, deeds, etc.) in a portable, waterproof and fireproof container as part of your kit. Prepare supplies for pets and family members with specific needs.


- Make a Plan: Make evacuation and communication plans. Plan ahead for the possibility of becoming separated from your family and friends by choosing an out-of-town contact that each family or household member can call or email should a disaster occur. Plan on using the Red Cross Safe and Well Web Site which can be reached through redcross.


- Be Informed: Talk to your family about the types of disasters that can happen in your community.


Follow the directions of emergency officials.


All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster, please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting redcross.