Contact: Martin Gagliano
Telephone: 669.209.5266
NCCRpublicaffairs@redcross.org
Donate on GivingTuesday or give blood during the holidays to help for future crises
SAN FRANCISCO, CA. NOVEMBER 30, 2023 —In 2023, the intensifying climate crisis took a devastating toll on people in the U.S. who turned to the American Red Cross for help coping with a record number of billion-dollar disasters.
So far this year, an all-time high of 25 billion-dollar disasters — including the catastrophic atmospheric rivers and flooding throughout California in January 2023 — ravaged communities across the country. In addition, families sweltered in the nation’s hottest summer on record, including in communities that rarely experience such extreme temperatures. And back-to-back disasters led to a series of blood drive cancellations, which further strained the national Red Cross blood supply that was already dwindling from summer travel and back-to-school activities.
"The climate crisis is causing more humanitarian needs for families throughout our region and across the country,” said Hanna Malak, Red Cross Northern California Coastal Region CEO. “This holiday season, please remember those who need support in the face of emergencies — and join us to provide care and comfort by making a financial donation and by giving blood or platelets.”
Help on GivingTuesday and during the holidays by visiting redcross.org to make a financial donation or an appointment to give blood or platelets. Individuals can also register for volunteer opportunities in their area.
INCREASING SUPPORT AMID THE CLIMATE CRISIS With the growing frequency and intensity of disasters driven by the climate crisis, the Red Cross is racing to adapt its services and grow its disaster response capacity across the country. As part of this national work in 2023, the Red Cross distributed $108 million in financial assistance directly to people after disasters of all sizes, including those affected by the California storms and floods, Hurricane Idalia, the Hawaii wildfires and a spate of tornadoes across multiple states.
Across the country, the Red Cross is delivering this vital financial assistance on top of its immediate relief efforts — including safe shelter, nutritious meals and emotional support — which have been provided on a near-constant basis for this year’s relentless extreme disasters. In fact, this year’s onslaught of large disasters drove an increase in emergency lodging provided by the Red Cross with partners — with overnight stays up more than 50% compared to the annual average for the previous five years.
In addition to supporting residents affected by the climate crisis nationally, in the last fiscal year (June 30, 2022 – July 1, 2023), 6,257 dedicated volunteers have responded to 1,006 local disaster events in the Northern California Coastal Region - the majority of these were home fires - helping those affected to recover.
RESPONDING TO ADDITIONAL EMERGING NEEDS Beyond the climate crisis, people stepped up through the Red Cross to address other emerging needs for communities, including:
Visit our Year-In-Review page for more information about how the Red Cross helped people across the Northern California Coastal Region in 2023.
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 visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
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