Holistic disaster recovery requires more than emergency vehicles, blankets and cots
Living through multiple major disasters just a few years apart can have impacts beyond personal property damage. Such repetitive loss can cause survivors to feel more stressed, anxious, or create other psychological concerns. Together, these hurdles can cause more issues during the recovery process and change the type of help people need after a disaster. The American Red Cross is taking steps to help its volunteers understand how to provide trauma-informed care to those who have experienced a disaster.
MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS Red Cross disaster mental health teams are training volunteers and staff to better support people who have suffered repetitive loss, ensuring the care they receive is tailored to meet their needs. De-escalation training, psychological first aid courses, and other exercises are helping to prepare disaster workers for different scenarios they may face while deployed to a disaster. The Red Cross also works to connect disaster teams with local community leaders so they will have better cultural awareness to guide how they are responding and to ensure they provide care that is sensitive and appropriate.
REPEAT DISASTERS Preparing for these events has enabled the Red Cross to support community members still recovering from a previous disaster event, even as another disaster is starting to unfold. Community members like Glenn, a resident of Florida who lost his home to Hurricane Idalia in 2023 and again to Hurricane Helene in 2024. Or Lisa from Horseshoe Beach, whose home was damaged in multiple hurricanes, including Idalia, Helene, and Milton. During responses like these, Red Cross disaster mental health workers connect with people who have been impacted and assess what kind of care should be provided. Such care may include helping replace medications, making mental health referrals, or simply listening to someone who needs to talk and identifying early signs of traumatic stress.
The Red Cross is constantly learning and working to be better prepared to respond to disasters efficiently and with empathy. If you would like to support the Red Cross, please visit redcross.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) to make a donation. Your financial support helps to provide food, shelter, relief supplies, financial assistance and comfort when people need it most.
Your time and talent can make a real difference in people's lives. When disaster strikes, it’s critical that people receive essentials like food and shelter. Be the one to help ─ become a Red Cross volunteer. Learn more here.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
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