Red Cross Initiates 36% More Relief Operations in FY 27 Than Last Year As Response Number Grows, Red Cross Asks People to Volunteer Now

Three men in Red Cross vests stand outside a marked Red Cross vehicle.

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Red Cross volunteers John “Dasher” Aldasch, Donald “Colonel” Klink, and Dave McPhail deployed to Spokane, Washington to help people affected by the devastating wildfires that destroyed hundreds of homes. Here they stand together outside of a Red Cross emergency response vehicle after unloading dozens of wildfire kits to distribute to local residents. Red Cross photo by Jason Colston

Several people in Red Cross shirts and vests stand for a photo.

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Super Typhoon Sinlaku impacted Guam and the Marianas Islands in the Spring, leaving widespread destruction in its wake. Red Cross disaster workers from across the U.S. deployed to the islands to help. Here, the Red Cross opened a shelter on Tinian, providing residents with a safe place to stay, along with food and water. Volunteers at the shelter included Peter King of Roslyn, New York; Brenda Kamish of Moravia, Iowa; Jim McKeown of Aurora, South Dakota; Michelle Mach of Germantown, Maryland; and Joseph Santos of Tinian, Northern Mariana Islands. Red Cross photo by Scott Marder/American Red Cross.

Woman in Red Cross shirt with clipboard and pen visits with a man in a Red Cross shelter

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In early Spring, days of heavy rain led to catastrophic flooding in Hawaii after a series of Kona Low storms. More than a foot of rain fell in some communities, tearing homes from their foundations. Here on O’ahu, Red Cross Disaster Disability Integration volunteer Sarah Clifford, left, visits with evacuee Alvin Parks, right, to assess any access or functional needs after he fled his home during the recent flooding. Disability Integration volunteers work with older adults and people with disabilities to identify unmet needs and ensure they can access essential support and resources. During the visit, Clifford learned that Parks did not have time to bring a needed medical device when he evacuated and arranged for Disaster Health Services to help replace the forgotten device. Red Cross photo by Mimi Teller

A man in a Red Cross vest and hat sits and talks with a volunteer in a Red Cross vest

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One of the volunteers who deployed after Super Typhoon Sinlaku impacted Guam and the Marianas Islands in the Spring, was 81-year-old Peter King, a volunteer from New York. Here on Tinian, he related that “two Red Cross volunteers are strangers at breakfast and friends by dinner.” For him, the relationships built as a volunteer are part of what keeps him coming back, even as he reflects on what may be his final deployment. “This will probably be my last one… a terrific swan song,” he said. Red Cross photo by Scott Marder

A man and woman in Red Cross vests work at packing wildfire kits to hand out to people in the Spokane area after the wildfires there.

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Red Cross volunteers Chris Gallegos (right) and Sandra Schueler (left) pack wildfire kits at the disaster relief operation warehouse in Airway Heights, WA, from which the kits will be distributed to Spokane area residents as they return home after the devastating wildfires there. Chris, a volunteer from Denver, CO who grew up in Altadena, CA, has been volunteering with the Red Cross for a year and a half – after hearing from his friends and family about how the Red Cross helped during the Los Angeles wildfires. “I was born and raised [in Altadena, CA], and it was a mecca for middle class families that were able to buy their first homes. It’s a beautiful place, great place to grow up. And when the fires happened, over two dozen of my family and friends lost their houses. And of all the people that were helping, Red Cross came through with flying colors, and I heard nothing but great things from all my people about the Red Cross. And I said, that’s the organization for me.” Red Cross photo by Jason Colston

September 15, 2026

Disaster volunteers are essential to the Red Cross being able to respond when emergencies happen.

The American Red Cross has responded to 75 disasters in a little more than 10 weeks, marking a 36% increase over the same timeframe last year.

Since July 1, these responses have involved emergencies of all sizes ─ from fires in apartment complexes to typhoons, wildfires, tornadoes, flooding and a hurricane. The resulting relief operations have stretched from coast to coast as well as to Alaska and the Pacific Islands.

In early July, Red Cross disaster teams deployed to Guam and the Marianas Islands after Super Typhoon Bavi hit the region just weeks after Super Typhoon Sinlaku devastated the same communities. Since then, there have been tornadoes and flooding across the Midwest, wildfires have scorched thousands of acres out west and in Alaska, and most recently, Hurricane Lowell impacted parts of Hawaii.

“Since the beginning of the fiscal year, we have initiated 75 relief operations, nine of these national level operations,” said Brad Kieserman, vice president, Disaster Operations and Logistics for the Red Cross. “This is 20 more than this time last year, and twice as many larger national level operations. The disasters we’re responding to aren’t leading the news every day. But our ability to respond to these events remains critical, especially to the people who need our support.”

VOLUNTEER SUPPORT CRUCIAL Disaster volunteers are essential to the Red Cross being able to respond when emergencies happen. And, just as the number of disaster responses has increased, so has the number of times Red Cross disaster volunteers have answered the call to help. Since the start of the year, almost 7,380 disaster responders have filled close to 14,600 relief response positions.

“We are immensely grateful for their outstanding support,” Kieserman said, “Their service has made it possible for the Red Cross to carry out our humanitarian mission and help people impacted by disasters. Our volunteers are more than our helpers, they are our partners in turning crisis into hope.”

HELP PEOPLE affected by disasters by making a donation to Red Cross Disaster Relief. Visit redcross.org, call 1- 800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to donate. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small, whenever and wherever they occur across the country.

JOIN US TODAY On average, a major disaster now occurs about every two weeks, making the role of volunteers more critical than ever. There are no signs that there will be a decline in the number of major disasters in the months ahead. It is key that we enroll more volunteers today.

Right now, it is critical that we find people interested in these roles:

National Disaster Responder: When hurricanes, wildfires and other disasters strike, families are left without the basics - food, shelter and comfort. You can be the one who helps them begin to recover. Deploy across the country to deliver shelter, supplies and support when it’s needed most. Explore redcross.org/deploy to find the role that is right for you.
Local Disaster Responder: The Red Cross responds to more than 60,000 disasters a year. Most of these disasters are home fires that don’t make headlines. Be a part of the volunteer team that is there when our neighbors need them the most. From offering comfort and care during disasters to educating communities on disaster preparedness, there are many ways to get involved. Explore redcross.org/local response for current opportunities in your area.
Logistics Fulfillment Service Associate: During a disaster, the Logistics Fulfillment Service Associate helps make sure relief supplies are on hand to support our clients, coordinating what is needed between the Red Cross warehouse and our shelters. They also organize orders at the warehouse and load the materials onto vehicles for delivery to our shelters.
Logistics Transportation Service Associate: The Logistics Transportation Service Associate keeps track of all vehicles being used on a disaster, both those owned by the Red Cross and any rental vehicles needed. If rentals are used, this volunteer secures them and returns them when no longer needed. They also service any Red Cross vehicles and deliver supplies, mail, etc. between the different sites that are part of the disaster response.

Blood Transportation Specialist: As a Blood Volunteer Driver, deliver lifesaving blood products to local hospitals, assist our blood collections teams with supplies, and return blood products from various locations in the region, directly helping patients in need. Whether you prefer more flexible, on-demand opportunities or regularly scheduled shifts, our user-friendly mobile app makes it easy to pick up shifts that fit your schedule. This makes it perfect for those seeking a flexible volunteering experience. Deliver blood to those in need through either scheduled shifts or on-demand driving opportunities. To learn more, visit: redcross.org/drivehope (On-Demand) or redcross.org/deliver (Scheduled)

In addition to these positions, the Red Cross has many volunteer opportunit ies available that satisfy a wide range of interests and time commitment. Your time and talents can make an impact ─ together, we can bring relief and hope to those affected. Sign up here today.

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.