[Anchorage, November 30, 2020] — Facing a relentless disaster season, families in the U.S. have spent more nights in emergency lodging in 2020 than in any other year over the past decade. More than 1 million times this year, a person relied on the Red Cross for a safe place to sleep after a disaster in the U.S. That’s more than four times the annual average from 2011 to 2019.

“As the coronavirus pandemic wears on, disasters like the Wildfires in Oregon, Washington, and California,— plus relentless hurricanes — have upended hundreds of thousands of lives across the country,” said Tanguy Libbrecht, CEO American Red Cross of Alaska. “Through it all, more people are stepping up as Red Cross volunteers to help others — even as they cope with COVID-19. It’s a true testament to the humanitarian spirit of people in Alaska and in our country.”

Nearly 90 percent of all services are performed by a dedicated network of volunteers from across the state. The Red Cross of Alaska is supported by 582 volunteers statewide who have logged over 40,000 volunteer hours in 2020 to support of the American Red Cross mission. Many of the services done by the Red Cross have had to be altered slightly due to the pandemic by completing tasks virtually. However, Alaskan’s continue to step-up to assist their neighbors and as well as helping across the country with 69 Alaskans deploying to disasters outside Alaska.

In Alaska, the Red Cross responded to 401 disasters in 55 communities statewide. Volunteers provided food, shelter, comfort, relief supplies, and recovery planning to 1,024 individuals and families in need. Furthermore, 143 Alaska residents were served by the Red Cross of Alaska health and mental health volunteers following local disasters.

THOUSANDS ANSWER CALL TO HELP This year, more than 70,000 people across the country joined the Red Cross as volunteers. As Alaska and the country grapples with the pandemic, young people have played a critical role in disaster response— with Millennials and Gen Z representing more than half of new Red Cross volunteers.

HOW YOU CAN HELP: On December 1, Giving Tuesday, and during the holiday season, help people in need by donating at www.redcross.org/Alaska. A gift of any size makes a difference. 

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.