FORT MYERS, FL, October 27, 2022—Over the last four weeks since Hurricane Ian made landfall, the American Red Cross has been working around the clock, alongside partners, to address the urgent humanitarian needs of tens of thousands of Florida residents coping with unimaginable loss brought on by this historic storm. The work of the Red Cross continues today and will evolve with the recovery in the weeks and months ahead.
“The American Red Cross is standing alongside communities across the state with critical support,” said Jill Palmer, Executive Director, American Red Cross Florida Gulf Coast to Heartland Chapter. “The resilience of our neighbors has been inspiring and a source of strength for so many. To all who have supported this large-scale mobilization, our donors, our volunteers, and our partners, we at the Red Cross extend our heartfelt gratitude.”
Below is an overview of the work of the American Red Cross across Florida prior to landfall, through October 27, 2022.
- The Red Cross and its partners have provided 39,175 overnight stays for more than 6,844 residents in 73 emergency shelters.
- With the help of partners, the Red Cross has provided a total of 1,527,355 meals and snacks to people in need.
- The Red Cross has distributed 404,073 relief supplies (including hygiene kits, flashlights, batteries, and cleanup supplies—like trash bags, tarps, bins, bleach, buckets, rakes, and shovels) across Florida.
- The organization has mobilized nearly 2605 Red Cross relief workers—mostly volunteers, from all 50 states and the District of Columbia—and 150 Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicles.
- With partners, the Red Cross opened 5 kitchens, providing food for shelters, in impacted communities, and at Red Cross Disaster Aid Stations.
- Red Cross reunification support has completed 1941 welfare information requests.
Today, 2,605 Red Cross team members are on the ground helping to provide safe shelter, food, supplies, recovery assistance, as well as health, mental health, and spiritual care support.
- Shelters: Last night more than 850 residents stayed in Red Cross and partner-run shelters across Florida. In addition to providing food, health assistance, emotional support, and other services, Red Cross workers are connecting with people still in shelters to help them plan for the future and make housing arrangements. These arrangements will look different for each person. For example, some people may choose to live with friends or family while they rebuild. Others will move into new apartments. And some will be helped through transitional sheltering or other housing programs offered by government agencies and community organizations.
- Disaster Aid Stations: Red Cross Disaster Aid Stations are set up daily across the region, where residents can access hygiene items, meal kits, snacks, water, cleanup supplies, first aid, and other services. Locations can be found on the pinned post on the South Florida Red Cross Facebook page.
- Food: The Red Cross is still working with partners to provide food, both in shelters and out in the affected communities. Mobile kitchens are cooking tens of thousands of hot meals, which more than 80 Red Cross emergency response vehicles are delivering daily to people struggling in the hardest hit areas.
- Supplies: The distribution of cleanup supplies, batteries, hygiene items and other needed items continues at fixed locations and via mobile routes.
- Addressing the needs of diverse communities: https://www.facebook.com/SFLRedCross/videos/1642331269556191
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Families are still struggling to cope and need help now. To help people affected by Hurricane Ian, visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or text the word IAN to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
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/southflorida or visit us on Facebook and Twitter at @SFLRedCross.
