Four Years After Sandy: Red Cross Helped Thousands Recover

October 27, 2016

Four years ago Hurricane Sandy slammed into the East Coast, causing massive destruction in its wake. The American Red Cross supported thousands of people, using $312 million in donations to help them recover and rebuild after the devastating storm.

“Hurricane Sandy was a devastating storm that affected families, homes and businesses in several states. The Red Cross was part of the massive response, working with government and community-based partners to give a helping hand to people affected by this storm,” said Harvey Johnson, senior vice president, Disaster Cycle Services for the Red Cross. “People needed help getting back on their feet and the Red Cross provided financial assistance, help with housing-related expenses, assistance planning next steps and grants to support services in areas hardest hit by Sandy.”

HURRICANE SANDY FOURTH ANNIVERSARY – RED CROSS RESPONSE

Spending: The Red Cross has spent or made commitments to spend $314 million in support of our Sandy response efforts. Details on how donations have been spent are available at redcross.org/sandy.

Emergency Relief: Before Sandy made landfall in October 2012, the Red Cross mobilized a massive emergency response effort that was ultimately supported by more than 17,000 workers from all over the country – 90 percent of them volunteers. Working with community partners, the Red Cross served more than 17.5 million meals and snacks and handed out more than 7 million relief items such as blankets, gloves, warm clothing, and home clean-up supplies. Red Crossers offered 113,000 health services and emotional support contacts and provided 74,000 overnight shelter stays for Sandy.

Recovery Support: The Red Cross has provided one-on-one assistance through casework to help thousands of families heal, rebuild and recover. The Move-In Assistance Program provided financial assistance to those whose primary homes were destroyed or made uninhabitable and who lacked the resources to relocate or make repairs. From 2012 through early 2015, this program provided more than $32.3 million to more than 5,100 households. The Red Cross has also worked closely with hundreds of partners and government agencies to make sure people have the support they need. For example, working with local residents and community organizations, the Red Cross helped start and support Long-Term Recovery Groups to address the disaster needs of storm-affected households.

Partnerships: The Red Cross awarded $96.8 million in funding to support critical recovery services in Sandy-devastated communities in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic. This funding has supported the repair and rebuilding of more than 7,500 homes; the training, housing and deployment of more than 230,000 volunteers; and casework, mental health and health services, financial assistance and financial and legal counseling to more than 120,000 households. A full list of grants is available at redcross.org/sandy.

“So many people supported our Sandy relief effort, their generosity making our massive response possible,” Johnson said. “Four years later, we are still grateful for their support which enabled the Red Cross to assist the thousands of families and individuals needing help after this disastrous storm.”

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.