Sandy Response

The Red Cross opens shelters to ensure people have a safe place to stay before, during and after the storm. The Red Cross serves meals at shelters, as well as from emergency response vehicles moving through neighborhoods and fixed feeding sites in affected communities. This includes donations to food banks.

Caseworkers from the Red Cross and other agencies meet with individuals affected by disaster to offer assistance, identify special needs and help them plan their long-term recovery. Assistance can include groceries, clothing, furniture, move-in assistance, security deposits, lodging and other aid to help a family get back on its feet.

The Red Cross provides assistance to meet housing needs for those whose homes were most seriously damaged by the disaster. This includes assistance for items such as repairs and rebuilding, mold removal, appliances and volunteer housing.

The Red Cross distributes a range of relief items, including comfort kits with hygiene items like toothbrushes and toothpaste, cleaning supplies, flashlights, batteries, trash bags, cold-weather essentials (gloves, blankets, hand-warmers) and shovels.

Red Cross workers drive through neighborhoods to distribute water, food and relief supplies in more than 300 feeding trucks as well as rental cars, trucks and other vehicles. This also includes costs associated with warehousing, fleet management, fuel and other necessities.

The Red Cross provides physical and emotional support services to clients, which has included first aid and replacement of prescription medicines.

The Red Cross is providing funding to National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD) and other agencies that work to coordinate recovery efforts.

The Red Cross improves the ability of disaster-impacted communities to respond to future emergencies by purchasing and pre-positioning relief supplies, convening partner organizations and conducting planning and training exercises.

“We entered into our partnership with the American Red Cross fully aware of the organization’s sweeping impact, worldwide over many decades. What becomes crystal clear while working with each and every member of the Red Cross team, however, is how powerfully the personal dimension comes through their work. Beyond the immediate response, the plight of individuals devastated by SuperStorm Sandy faded from the headlines. The human faces of those still awaiting recovery continues to motivate each and every member of the Red Cross staff. This persistence has enabled us to complete massive restoration projects for 30 low-income Connecticut families victimized by the storm. We experience the person-to-person connection when collaborating with the Red Cross. For an organization with such vast institutional wisdom, the Red Cross remains a “learning organization” in the best sense of the phrase. A balance of thoughtfulness and efficiency informs every aspect of the Red Cross process, encouraging an exchange of ideas and findings every step of the way. This ethic of interconnectedness is just one of the many reasons why the Red Cross makes responses to overwhelming disasters seem possible. The ultimate yardstick is that our community is the better for our partnership as are we.”

— Sean C. O'Brien, Executive Director, HomeFront, Inc.

"I wanted to personally express my gratitude for the expertise and effort the state of Connecticut has received from Red Cross leadership staff. They have been instrumental in our Individual Assistance working group’s efforts to assist families affected by Superstorm Sandy and in developing a model that will help the state move quickly to support families should we ever be hit by another disaster.

Thank you for the Red Cross’s support of the state’s Long Term Recovery team and for lending its staff’s talent and expertise to this effort."

— George B. Bradner, Co-Chair, State Long-Term Recovery and Director, Connecticut Insurance Department

“As we approach the second anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, we are all grateful to the Red Cross for their assistance in helping people throughout the 8th congressional district rebuild their lives and repair the neighborhoods decimated by the storm. During the last two years, my office has worked closely with the Red Cross on all aspects of the relief and recovery effort. We are deeply appreciative for their assistance.”

— U.S. Representative Hakeem Jeffries

“The American Red Cross has provided critical financial support to the Long Island Unmet Needs Roundtable that will ensure the sustained recovery of Long Island families and individuals impacted by Hurricane Sandy.”

— Gwen O’Shea, President and CEO, Health And Welfare Council of Long Island

“Two years after Sandy made landfall, the Red Cross continues to help people recover. They have been a constant partner with my office, my colleagues in government whose communities were impacted by Sandy, and with the victims of Sandy within those communities, as we all forge ahead with not only recovery, but readiness and resiliency for the future. I applaud and thank everyone from the Red Cross, especially the volunteers, for their continued commitment and dedication.”

— NYS Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (Queens)

“Since the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, the American Red Cross has continued to be a reliable long-term partner to the people of Staten Island. Their campaign to educate the public about disaster preparedness will be beneficial and ensure that all New Yorkers know what to do when disaster strikes. To date, they’ve helped hundreds of Staten Islanders move back into their homes and receive the services they need.”

— NYS Assembly Member Joseph Borelli (Staten Island)

“My administration was happy to partner with the Red Cross to provide residents with shelters during Superstorm Sandy. I thank the Red Cross for their continuing relief efforts.”

— Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano

“The Red Cross has been the largest donor to the New York City Unmet Needs Roundtable, providing funds that have allowed the Roundtable and our other donors to address the financial assistance needs of thousands of Sandy-affected New Yorkers struggling with a range of stressors. The Red Cross's ongoing support remains a critical piece of this valuable system serving the unmet needs of Sandy survivors in New York City, almost three years after the storm.”

— Peter Gudaitis, Chief Response Officer, New York Disaster Interfaith Services

“Without the commitment and support of the Red Cross, we would not have been able to rebuild one home. With their help, via grants and resources, we're up to 60 homes rebuilt and counting. Had the Red Cross not stepped in and kick-started our group of volunteers, our organization would have raised the white flag a long time ago. With over 100 more homes to go, the Red Cross behind us and we are extremely motivated to complete our goal of rebuilding for those still in need of support post-Sandy. Thank you for fueling the drive we need to keep going.”

— Michael Sinensky, Founder, Friends of Rockaway

"The ongoing funding support NYLAG has received from the American Red Cross ensures that we will be able to address the significant long-term legal advocacy needs of Sandy victims. Every day we hear from new clients who feel frustrated and forgotten as they struggle to recover from the storm’s devastating impact. Red Cross has provided NYLAG with consistent support since 2013, allowing our advocates to continue to provide critical support and services to disaster victims throughout Long Island and New York City.”

— Ann Dibble, Director, Storm Response Unit, New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG)

“The American Red Cross has supported LISC NY's work for more than two years, resulting in mold remediation of more than 2,500 homes and the repair and reconstruction of more than 500 severely damaged homes. Throughout our work together, our organizations prioritized and addressed the housing needs of the most vulnerable New Yorkers: seniors living alone, people with serious health conditions or disabilities, undocumented immigrants. This partnership serves as a model for how organizations can work collaboratively to help thousands of people in underserved communities live healthier, safer and happier lives.”

— Sam Marks, Executive Director, LISC New York

“The American Red Cross has been a strong partner with the State of New Jersey, both in the immediate aftermath of Superstorm Sandy and throughout the long-term recovery process. The American Red Cross’s dedication and generosity has had a palpable impact on the State and its residents.”

—Terrence Brody, Executive Director, N.J. Governor’s Office of Recovery & Rebuilding

“When Superstorm Sandy made landfall two years ago, the American Red Cross was there from the start to help New Jersey families recover from the devastation. In the early parts of the recovery efforts the Red Cross assisted families to transition out of FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance program and return home or locate sustainable housing. Work continues through Red Cross recovery grants made to organizations throughout the state helping families recover and rebuild. This includes a significant grant to fund the Gap Funding Initiative, a program offering grants to eligible homeowners in New Jersey’s RREM program. Thanks to Red Cross support, thousands of New Jersey families are on the road to recovery.”

—Richard E. Constable III, Commissioner, N.J. Department of Community Affairs

“In the two years following Superstorm Sandy, the American Red Cross has continued to demonstrate its commitment to the community. In addition to their nonstop work helping those impacted by Sandy, the Red Cross has been educating people how to be better prepared for disasters. I have been alongside Red Crossers as they visited schools and attended local events bringing important preparedness information to New Jersey families. This dedication to preparedness helps ensure New Jerseyans are ready for the next storm that may threaten our area. I commend the Red Cross for their dedication to preparedness and am grateful for the remarkable and impactful work of its volunteers.”

— Annette Quijano, Chairwoman, N.J. Assembly Committee on Homeland Security and State Preparedness

“The generosity and support of the Red Cross has given OCLTRG the opportunity to make a huge impact throughout Ocean County and become the lead organization for residents to turn to for their recovery efforts.”

— Susan Marticek, Executive Director, Ocean County Long Term Recovery Group

“As a result of the American Red Cross funding, NJVOAD and the VOAD community in New Jersey are stronger, and communities throughout New Jersey are better positioned to experience a full recovery.”

— Kelly D. Higgs, Hurricane Sandy Recovery Coordinator, N.J. Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (NJVOAD)

“We continue to value our partnership with the American Red Cross; working together to rebuild homes and lives in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.”

— Keith Adams, Disaster Recovery Coordinator, Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey

"With the help of the American Red Cross, the Monmouth County Long-Term Recovery Group has been able to help many homeowners recover from the disaster of Superstorm Sandy. We look forward to helping many more homeowners."

— Eric Nedelkoff, Executive Director, Monmouth County Long-Term Recovery Group

“Coming from a small municipality, BrigStrong quickly depleted its resources in responding to Brigantine’s victims of Hurricane Sandy. Consequently, BrigStrong became dependent on REVIVE. Through the significant resources provided by the American Red Cross, BrigStrong was able to continue supporting the unmet needs of Brigantineers.”

— Tom Milhous, Vice Chair, BrigStrong (Brigantine Long-Term Recovery Group) and REVIVE (Atlantic County Long-Term Recovery Group).

“As we mark two years of Sandy relief and recovery, we are extremely grateful to the American Red Cross for their response in our communities, not only during the initial relief but even now during the continued and difficult recovery phase. Our partnership with the American Red Cross allows us to reach more storm survivors and affect more lives than would otherwise be possible. Once again the American Red Cross has been a beacon of hope in our communities around the state.”

— Bobbie Ridgely, Executive Director, A Future With Hope

“We are grateful for the outstanding partnership of the American Red Cross! They have provided us with ongoing funding that enables our New Jersey affiliates to restore hope (and homes) to so many Sandy-impacted families – many of whom had given up on receiving help.”

— Mary Welch, Senior Director Affiliate Services, Habitat for Humanity International