Media contact: Keith Paul
Regional Communications Director
keith.paul@redcross.org | 702-400-7680
LAS VEGAS (June 11, 2023) — American Red Cross of Nevada Chief Executive Officer Heidi Ruster will deploy to Guam tomorrow, joining hundreds of trained Red Cross disaster relief workers from across the country on the ground helping the residents of the U.S. territory recover from powerful Typhoon Mawar.
“The typhoon hit Guam more than two weeks ago and many of the island’s residents, including U.S. military members and their families, are still without power and water,” said Ruster, a 30-year veteran of the Red Cross who has participated in many disaster relief efforts. “Following a disaster of this magnitude, it will take time to learn the full scope of the damage and reach all those who need our help.”
With sustained winds of 140 mph, the storm swept over Guam for hours on the night of Wednesday, May 24, causing severe damage to homes, businesses and infrastructure, leaving most of Guam's 170,500 residents in need of food, water and shelter. The typhoon was reportedly the strongest storm in at least two decades.
Ruster will be flying out of Los Angeles Monday morning for a three-week deployment. As a Red Cross liaison to elected officials and community leaders, Ruster will help facilitate communication and ensure the relief effort is reaching those who need it most. “Our work is just beginning,” Ruster said. “We will be side-by-side with our partners helping people for weeks and months to come.”
Red Cross responds
More than 200 Red Cross volunteers from all over the country have deployed to the islands to provide disaster relief for those affected. Additional help is traveling to the islands every day on humanitarian flights from Los Angeles and Honolulu.
The Red Cross is distributing relief supplies such as clean-up kits, tarps, coolers, flashlights and personal hygiene supplies. More than 5,100 households have received relief supplies so far. Disaster workers are also supporting feeding on the islands and have provided more than 52,300 meals and snacks since the storm hit the islands.
The Service to Armed Forces arm of the Red Cross is providing assistance to the large military population on Guam. Red Cross reunification efforts are putting families back together again after being separated by the storm. Red Cross volunteers are helping assess the residential damage in affected communities. This work will help us better understand what help families may need in the coming days and weeks. “It could be weeks before water and power are restored on the western Pacific islands,” Ruster said.
How can you help the people affected by Typhoon Mawar
Make a gift to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds, and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.