By Alexis Gonzalez, American Red Cross

The American Red Cross Tampa Bay chapter welcomed Consul of Colombia César Felipe González Hernández from the Colombian Consulate and Paola Medina from Colombia Nos Une in Orlando to its disaster headquarters in Tampa, FL. Disaster Program Manager for the Red Cross Tampa Bay Chapter and Latino Engagement Team Member Jose Bueno gave González and Medina a tour of the Tampa Bay chapter office and shared the ongoing relief efforts for Hurricanes Milton and Helene.

Bueno and González discussed the possibility of collaborating to bring resources and ongoing training to the Latino community, which extends beyond Colombian culture.

González shared how his team can work with the Mexican and Dominican Consulates to keep lines of communication open before, during and after a disaster to ensure the Latino communities are well informed about Red Cross services and responses.

"We will work together to diffuse any false information and share important updates about the Red Cross response," shared González. "Our priority is our communities. We want to open a line of communication to support the response of the Red Cross throughout the counties we serve in Florida."

The power of communication was apparent when Bueno was first on the ground in the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for the hurricanes. As Bueno collected updates and information, he later shared essential messages through a video he recorded each day and sent to González so he could distribute it. Little did he know that his communications would reach not just the Latino community but also his home country of Colombia.

"One day, I started receiving messages on WhatsApp from my friends and family in Colombia telling me how helpful the information was and that they could watch my videos to stay up to date with what was happening in the States after the hurricanes," said Bueno. "It was amazing to see the impact of those videos and how they kept the Latino community informed."

"It's important to have volunteers who speak another language. A lot of our population wants to help but don't necessarily know how to get involved," said Medina. González, Medina and Bueno discussed the different volunteer opportunities and how the Spanish-speaking community can get involved with the Red Cross mission.

"It is a comfort for people affected by disasters to be able to work with volunteers who speak their native language when they are going through a hard time and having information thrown at them," added Bueno.

One of the biggest volunteer initiatives that has been piloted is event-based volunteers conducting the new Red Cross program, Direct Disaster Assessment Observation (DDAO). Volunteers go into affected neighborhoods and conduct damage assessments of homes through a survey app. Spanish-speaking volunteers have already signed up and completed volunteer shifts because of the open line of communication.

Consul González shared how he first met Jose Bueno at the third Feria de Servicios, Comunidad y Salud (Service, Community and Health Fair), put together by the Colombian Consulate in Orlando, whose objective is to bring information and awareness about community partners and their services not only to the Colombian population but to the Hispanic Community.

González stayed for Bueno's presentation on Red Cross hurricane preparedness. González had just moved to Orlando and purchased a home for himself and his family when he put his new training to use.

"After watching the presentation, the first thing I did when I got the keys to my house was buy hurricane and flooding insurance," said González. "It is better to have the policy and not need it than to not have it and need it in a time like this."

As González was moving into his home, he noticed the weather reports of an incoming storm. With a possible incoming hurricane, González decided not to continue renovating his home. Not wanting to risk his family's safety, González took the precautionary steps he learned from Bueno's presentation.

"I covered the windows, placed sandbags around my house and found a safe shelter location in my daughter's closet. That was the safest place in the house," said González.

To alleviate the fear of González's daughter about the situation, he gave her the job of designing the family shelter with a sign that said "Milton Shelter" with the hurricane and shelter icons, snacks, water and things to keep them comfortable. To further distract her from the incoming hurricane, González and his wife made a replica shelter inside their shelter.

"Using her imagination, she constructed a miniature shelter with toys and shoes while we played through the night. Taking those steps instills a sense of preparedness in children," added González.

"For the Colombian Consulate, it has been an honor to meet with the Red Cross and see from the inside to learn their objectives and how they support our communities. Thanks to the Red Cross, people affected by the recent hurricanes have had a place of safety and are now working on the next stage of their recovery," said Gonzalez. "For the Colombian Consulate, we will continue our partnership with the Red Cross to bring awareness and training to all the Latino and Hispanic communities."

Red Cross services and shelters are available for everyone in need regardless of race, ethnicity, age, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability or citizenship status.

For weeks, weary families across the Southeast have been living with the inconceivable damage left behind after Hurricanes Milton and Helene. As families try to take their next steps, nearly 1,200 American Red Cross responders are with them, providing shelter, meals, relief supplies and a shoulder to lean to make sure no one faces this disaster alone. Our work isn’t close to being done. Alongside our partners, the Red Cross will be there to support those in need for weeks and months to come.

For more preparedness resources click here. Tips are also available in Spanish.