The American Red Cross is ramping up efforts to help people affected by the Easter Sunday, multi-family fire in New Town, ND. The Red Cross is actively working with the Mandan, Hidatsa, & Arikara (MHA) Nation to support emergency shelter and other immediate disaster relief needs of those impacted.
“The past year has been overwhelming for many, and as we work through this pandemic and current drought, people are caring for one another,” says Rob Stotz, executive director of the American Red Cross serving western North Dakota.
The Red Cross is coordinating with MHA Tribal Housing to help families on their relief and longer-term recovery needs, such as moving from non-congregate hotel shelter and into more permanent Tribal housing.
Red Cross volunteers and staff are reaching out to family members and residents to assess individual needs. Responders also are preparing to provide recovery services and financial assistance when households are ready to move to more permanent housing.
The MHA Nation Emergency Management and Mountrail County Emergency Management jointly coordinated the initial response to the New Town fire, which displaced residents from 36 units on April 4, 2021. On Wednesday, April 7, 2021 the MHA Nation requested assistance to support the sheltering operation.
“Throughout this pandemic we’ve seen again and again how important a strong Red Cross is to our communities and our partners,” added Stotz. “We’re grateful to work together with our Tribal partners to
assist with the response and recovery for this tragic event.”
People who are affected by this disaster and need Red Cross assistance should call our Bismarck office at (701) 364-1800.
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 in Minnesota, South Dakota and North Dakota.