Over the weekend, the American Red Cross worked in close coordination with our partners at Palm Beach County Emergency Management to provide shelter in West Palm Beach, Fla. for evacuees arriving on the Bahamas Paradise Cruise Lines ship Grand Celebration from Freeport, Bahamas.

In addition to offering safe haven as evacuees plan their next steps, the Red Cross provided food, water, hygiene items, health services, and emotional support. Volunteers helped reconnect families and provided referrals to those in need with the generous support available through community resources.

Palm Beach County is taking the lead on long-term recovery planning for evacuees that arrived on the Grand Celebration. The Red Cross is one of many organizations sitting at the table to assist the county on a plan moving forward.

The American Red Cross is also working in close coordination with our government and community partners in South Florida to support evacuees who may be arriving from the Bahamas. The Red Cross stands ready to provide immediate aid such as food, water, hygiene items, health services and emotional support. Volunteers will also help reconnect families and provide referrals to those in need with the generous support available through community resources.

Opening shelters and providing services to people in need is only possible thanks to the generosity of donors. If you would like to support the Red Cross in future disaster responses, visit redcross.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

WHAT THE RED CROSS IS DOING IN THE BAHAMAS

The American Red Cross has committed an initial $2 million to support those affected in the Bahamas by Dorian.

Before Dorian struck the Bahamas, the Bahamas Red Cross prepositioned supplies for 1,000 people on the islands and has mobilized 200 volunteers. As of Sept. 9, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) sent 38 tons of material including warehouse tents, 1,600 jerrycans, 1,600 tarpaulins, 800 hygiene kits, 800 shelter toolkits, 1,600 plastic buckets, 3,200 blankets and 700 kitchen sets.

If you have lost contact with a U.S. citizen traveling in the Bahamas, contact the U.S. State Department at 1-888-407-4747.

For all media inquiries related to Palm Beach County efforts, please contact Lisa De La Rionda, Director of Public Affairs and Communications, at 561-662-7534 or ldelario@pbcgov.org.

For any Red Cross-related questions, please contact Grace Meinhofer at (561) 907-6668 or SFLRegionPublicAffairs@redcross.org