The GE Foundation has donated $1,250,000 to the American Red Cross in response to recent disasters.

Over the course of the last ten weeks, the American Red Cross launched wide-ranging relief efforts to help people devastated by three historic, back-to-back hurricanes—Harvey, Irma, and Maria, followed by the catastrophic earthquakes in Mexico. The Red Cross also continues to provide much-needed assistance to thousands of people affected by wildfires in California. GE Foundation’s donation will go to support ongoing Red Cross relief efforts.

“Our hearts and wishes go out to the millions of people who were impacted by the unprecedented number of natural disasters and extreme weather,” said Ann R. Klee, President, GE Foundation. “Along with our disaster and humanitarian relief program, which draws on GE people, technology and other resources to reduce suffering and deliver vital supplies, our Matching Gifts program doubles employees’ contributions to crisis relief agencies like the American Red Cross and others to help these communities recover and rebuild.”

“The American Red Cross has worked around the clock on wide-ranging relief efforts to help people devastated by catastrophic hurricanes, wildfires and other disasters,” said Gail McGovern, president and CEO of the American Red Cross. “We couldn’t do it without the generosity of our amazing donors, such as the GE Foundation and its employees. Thanks to their tremendous commitment, the Red Cross has been able to deliver shelter, food, and essential supplies to hundreds of thousands of people impacted by the recent disasters, as well as continue our efforts to help affected communities during the recovery process. We’re extremely grateful for their meaningful support of our humanitarian mission.”

People continue to deal with the destruction caused by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria more than two months after the storms made landfall. The Red Cross is with them, providing food, shelter and help with recovery. Within the last seven weeks, the Red Cross has mobilized more than 16,000 trained disaster workers, with 91 percent of them being volunteers. Overall, Red Cross and community partners have provided 1.3 million overnight stays in emergency shelters, served more than 6.7 million meals and snacks, distributed 5.7million emergency relief items, and provided more than 199,500 mental health and health services.

To learn more about our work or to make a donation, visit redcross.org.

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.