By Josh Davis, Red Cross volunteer

In May, Typhoon Mawar ravaged the island of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Heavy rains flooded homes and strong winds ripped the roofs off houses, damaged water wells, and downed powerlines, leaving many of the inhabitants without electricity and running water for weeks.

In the aftermath, more than 380 trained disaster workers and volunteers from the American Red Cross have distributed desperately needed supplies, provided shelter and helped to assess the damage inflicted by the deadly storm.

Among them is Oliver Burnette, a senior volunteer engagement specialist for the American Red Cross of the National Capital and Greater Chesapeake Region. During a three-week stay in Guam, Burnette could often be found driving a van to a remote village and handing out meals to those without power and water.

He said the immediate impact of the aid has been “food in the bellies every day for thousands of people, and a bed to sleep for families with no homes.”

Even with that effort, many residents are still struggling, as volunteers try to keep up with the daily grind of providing several meals each day – now more than a month after the disaster struck.

Viviana Bejarano of Rockville, Maryland said she and other Red Cross volunteers who deployed to Guam from around the U.S were working 12-hour shifts to try to keep up with the demand.

“Residents are frustrated, because they want to go to their homes to see what shape they are in, but they have no transportation or money to get there,” she said.

Bejarano said there is a need for transportation to take people to the hospital for dialysis and other treatments, but the conditions are difficult. Many residents are tired and overheated.

Still, each day she sees the Red Cross making a difference.

“There's hope among residents, once we explain help is on the way,” she said. “There are actually smiles and excitement about what that help may look like.”

Bejarano has been on 15 deployments with the Red Cross. She said each is unique, but there is one common denominator.

“The American Red Cross will do its best to accommodate everyone's needs as resources become available. The knowledge that organizations such as Red Cross are working to help them through a time of need is comforting to people,” she said.

“A lot of people feel forgotten or alone, and this operation definitely changes their perspective and their concept of nonprofit organizations like our beloved Red Cross,” she added.

Bejarano said among the most requested items is appropriate food – as many inhabitants are vegetarians – and information.

“When people are restless it is usually because they don't know what to expect. Simple explanations make a difference. Sometimes, ‘we are working on it’ is enough,” she said. “I told anyone who came to me worried: There are a lot of people working on a plan to help all of you. That is enough to give them peace of mind for a few days.”

Burnette said the best way to help is financial donation to the Red Cross, which gives relief workers the most flexibility.

“The Red Cross is a good steward of the donor dollar, so financial donations are the most useful,” he said. “Here in Guam, I see the money being spent for the benefit of the people affected, so support of the Red Cross work in Guam is best done in monetary donations.

“That being said, we always need volunteers,” he added.

To help people affected by Typhoon Mawar in the U.S. territories, including Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, visit redcross.org, call 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767), or text the word TYPHOON to 90999 to make a $10 donation.