MIAMI, Fla - April 4, 2023 — Roughly 24 hours after tornadoes ripped through the South and Midwest, the American Red Cross is began its work to support relief efforts to help those most affected.
The Red Cross South Florida Region has twelve (12) volunteers and (4) staff members that have been deployed to support this disaster relief operation, with more preparing to leave in the coming days.
“Thousands of people lost everything as their lives and homes were turned upside down from the recent tornados and storms. The South Florida Red Cross is supporting the national response effort and deploying staff and volunteers to assist,” said Julie Unwin, Chief Executive Officer of the South Florida Red Cross. “These teams are providing comfort, meals and financial support to the communities affected, which will continue to need this support for months to come. The dedication of these teams is astonishing and unwavering in the face of destruction.”
RED CROSS RESPONSE More than 800 trained Red Cross disaster workers are on the ground in multiple states, working with our partners and officials to make sure everyone has the help they need and more help is on the way. Working with partners, we have provided more than 78,600 meals and have served more than 5,200 households with relief supplies in the affected communities.
With more volunteers and supplies moving into the affected areas in the coming days, the Red Cross is working around the clock with partners to make sure everyone has a safe place to stay, emotional support and comfort in the face of this disaster.
Red Cross volunteers are also helping to assess the damage in affected communities as areas become accessible to help determine how many families were affected and what types of help they may need in the coming days and weeks.
YOU CAN HELP This is the second time in two weeks that tornadoes and severe storms have uprooted lives and devastated entire communities. Families need help now. You can make a difference in the lives of people affected by tornadoes and storms in the South and Midwest. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or text the word TORNADO to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from these disasters. This includes providing food, shelter, relief supplies, emotional support, recovery planning and other assistance.
DOWNLOAD OUR APPS Download the free Red Cross First Aid app so you’ll know what to do if emergency help is delayed and the free Emergency app for weather alerts, open Red Cross shelter locations and safety steps for different emergencies. Choose whether you want to view the content in English or Spanish with an easy-to-find language selector. Find these and all of the Red Cross apps in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.
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.