The worsening climate crisis is driving families from their homes. In the last 10 years, more than 8.5 million people were displaced in the U.S.
Climate disasters also take a disproportionate toll on low-income families, diverse communities, older adults and people with disabilities. For families who face socioeconomic challenges, this disaster-caused displacement can be catastrophic: When facing an unexpected $400 expense, more than 30% of U.S. adults would need to borrow money or sell personal items to cover it.
As the nation’s largest provider of emergency sheltering, the Red Cross works one-on-one with people to help them recover after disasters. The most significant recovery needs we see revolve around chronic health conditions, food insecurity, and the availability of safe and affordable housing.