By: Kara Witsoe, Northwest Region Volunteer

As our climate undergoes significant shifts, communities are increasingly facing disasters that are both more frequent and more severe. This reality is expected to continue, as a recent spring outlook from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association predicts this hurricane season could be one of the most devastating on record.

Wildfire season is also intensifying and lengthening, particularly in the western U.S., thanks to hotter, drier weather. Washington State alone has seen a 40% increase in wildfires in the first half of 2024 compared to the same time last year.

As climate-related disasters increase in frequency, more people are relying on the American Red Cross and our partners for assistance. With the help of companies like Amazon, the Red Cross is working proactively to ensure we are prepared to meet the need.

“Responding to disasters is just one part of protecting people from harm,” said Red Cross Regional Philanthropy Officer Morgan Gilbert.  “When communities are prepared, they recover faster. The Red Cross is committed to not only responding after an event, but helping communities become more resilient before disaster strikes.”

Resiliency - the ability to not just survive but adapt and thrive – helps individuals and communities minimize damage during and after a disaster. In resilient communities, residents return more quickly to work, reopen businesses, and restore essential services.

Amazon’s Disaster Relief team offers critical support to help the Red Cross respond quickly in the wake of emergencies.

Specifically, Amazon has donated thousands of aid items to help stock Red Cross Disaster Field Supply Centers (DFSCs), warehouses filled with critical supplies needed to respond quickly and efficiently when a disaster happens. Four centers are strategically located throughout the country so essential supplies can be delivered within 24-48 hours of an event. In anticipation of the needs in our communities, Amazon is donating 30,000 tarps to the American Red Cross – enough to fulfill our entire forecasted needs over the next year.

“Amazon is committed to using its resources, logistics expertise, and technology to help communities when they need it most in collaboration with organizations like the Red Cross,” said Vidya Sampath, Senior Product Manager for Amazon Disaster Relief. “As part of our longstanding partnership with the Red Cross, we are pleased to help donate 30,000 tarps—one of the most frequently requested items communities need, as well as other relief supplies to help boost the Red Cross’s Disaster Field Supply Centers. We look forward to continue working closely with the Red Cross team in Washington State and beyond to help when disaster strikes.”

“The contributions made by Amazon and its employees are helping save lives and provide critical care to families facing emergencies,” said Gilbert. “They donate material goods that go into hygiene kits, cleaning supplies, flashlights, and items to comfort children that are vital to our response. On top of that, Amazon holds blood drives at their offices throughout the year, helping to maintain the national blood supply.”

The partnership has been going strong for more than six years. Amazon’s comprehensive support provides tangible help and hope—before and after disasters—and ensures the availability of lifesaving blood for patients around the country. Last year alone, Amazon supplied nearly 300,000 essential items such as tents, air mattresses, tarps, coolers, diapers, and snacks in the wake of countless emergencies.

Disaster Relief by Amazon was started in 2017 with the vision of applying Amazon’s global logistics capabilities to provide fast, effective aid where it’s needed most. Since 2017, Amazon has donated more than 24 million relief items to support people impacted by over 160 disasters around the world. So far this year, Amazon has provided support to communities for 16 natural disasters including the earthquake in Japan and the recent floods in Brazil. 

The Red Cross is grateful to Amazon, who was recently recognized by the Puget Sound Business Journal as one of the top corporate donors in the area, for its ongoing support and partnership to provide families facing disasters with help and hope to move forward.

If your company would like to provide life-saving assistance to disaster survivors, contact Morgan Gilbert at morgan.gilbert2@redcross.org in the Northwest Region office or your local Red Cross chapter today.