November 01, 2017

In the last nine 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. And most recently, the Red Cross began supporting thousands of people affected by the deadliest week of wildfires in California history. 

California Wildfires

• Tuesday night, almost 70 people stayed in two Red Cross shelters.
• Since the fires began, the Red Cross, community and government partners have provided more than 27,900 overnight stays in emergency shelters.
• With the help of partners, the Red Cross has served more than 173,000 meals and snacks, and provided more than 13,300 mental health and health services to support and care for those affected.
• The Red Cross has distributed more than 137,000 emergency relief items such as masks, gloves, rakes, trash bags and comfort kits containing deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste and other hygiene items to people in need. 
• More than 470 Red Cross disaster workers are on the ground now. 

Hurricane Response Efforts (Harvey, Irma and Maria) 

• In the last nine weeks, the Red Cross, along with community and government partners, has provided 1.3 million (1,357,000) overnight stays in emergency shelters. That’s more overnight shelter stays than the past 5 years combined. Shelters were opened in 8 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This includes—

For Harvey, more than 435,000 overnight shelter stays in Texas and Louisiana. 
For Irma, more than 648,000 overnight shelter stays across six states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 
For Maria, more than 274,000 overnight stays in primarily government shelters across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

• With the help of partners, the Red Cross has served more than 6.7 million (6,758,000)meals and snacks—that’s more food than the past 4 years combined.
• The Red Cross has distributed more than 5.7 million (5,740,000) emergency relief items to people in need. 
• Red Cross volunteers have provided more than 199,500 mental health and health services to support and care for those affected. 
• A total of more than 16,000 trained disaster workers, 91 percent of them volunteers, have been mobilized to support hurricane relief efforts. Many of these workers have supported multiple relief operations or deployed multiple times. 
• Right now, more than 1,100 Red Cross disaster workers are on the ground. More than 100 Red Cross workers from around the world deployed to the United States to help with hurricane relief efforts. 

Hurricane Harvey 

• As of October 31, the Red Cross has authorized payment of $400 to more than 573,000households severely affected by Hurricane Harvey. That’s more than $229 million in direct financial assistance, and we continue to process applications.
• Along with our partners, we have served more than 4.5 million (4,549,000) meals and snacks in Texas and Louisiana.
• Red Cross volunteers have provided more than 127,200 mental health and health services to support and care for people in Texas and Louisiana. 
• We’ve distributed more than 1.6 million (1,660,000) relief items like diapers, bug spray, cleaning supplies, coolers, and comfort kits containing deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste and other hygiene items, in Texas and Louisiana.

Hurricane Irma (Continental U.S. Only) 

• Along with our partners, we have served more than 1.5 million (1,596,000) meals and snacks across six states.
• We’ve distributed more than 1 million (1,089,000) relief items like diapers, bug spray, cleaning supplies, coolers, and comfort kits containing deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste and other hygiene items across six states.
• Red Cross volunteers have provided more than 52,600 mental health and health services to support and care for those affected across six states. 
• To help people recover and get back on their feet, the Red Cross has opened more than 11,000 cases, reaching more than 38,000 people across Florida. 

Hurricanes Irma and Maria (Puerto Rico and USVI) 

• In Puerto Rico, more than 3,240 people stayed Tuesday night in 74 government evacuation shelters. 
• On the U.S. Virgin Islands, more than 100 people stayed Tuesday night in 4 shelters.
• More than 860 Red Cross disaster workers are supporting relief efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands now.
• Along with our partners, the Red Cross has served more than 618,000 meals and snacks across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 
• We’ve distributed 3 million (3,005,000) relief items across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 
• Red Cross volunteers have provided more than 19,600 mental health and health services to support and care for those affected. 
• Since Irma and Maria struck Puerto Rico, the Red Cross has served more than 537,000meals and snacks, distributed more than 2.5 million (2,523,000) relief supplies, and provided more than 14,900 mental health and health services to people in need. Right now, more than 710 Red Cross disaster workers are helping. 
• Since Irma and Maria struck the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Red Cross has served more than 81,000 meals and snacks, handed out more than 481,000 relief items, and provided more than 4,700 mental health and health services to people in need. Right now, more than 140trained Red Cross disaster workers are helping.