American Red Cross Response to Hurricane Katrina as at September 19, 2005

The American Red Cross is responding to an unprecedented natural catastrophe and devoting every resource to this humanitarian relief effort. The American people can be confident the Red Cross will spare no effort to meet the needs of hundreds of thousands of Hurricane Katrina survivors.


Sheltering Operations



Since Hurricane Katrina made landfall, the Red Cross has provided more than 2.3 million overnight stays in 902 shelters across 26 states and the District of Columbia. On Sunday night, the Red Cross housed more than 36,000 Hurricane Katrina survivors in 236 shelters.


Relief Workers



More than 138,000 Red Cross workers from all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have responded to Katrina. During this effort, the Red Cross has trained an additional 74,000 people in specialized disaster relief skills.


Feeding Operations



The Red Cross, in coordination with the Southern Baptist Convention, has served nearly 12 million hot meals and more than 8.2 million snacks to survivors of Hurricane Katrina.


Financial Assistance



The American Red Cross is expanding the variety of its efforts to provide financial assistance to upwards of three quarters of a million Hurricane Katrina victims who are dispersed across the nation. Assistance is provided in a variety of ways, including client assistance cards, vouchers, checks and cash. This program has reached more than 350,000 families to date.


Survivors can register for emergency financial assistance, 24 hours a day, by calling toll-free 1-800-975-7585. Due to the large number of survivors, phone lines may be overwhelmed.


Reuniting Families



Persons looking for loved ones can call 1-877-LOVED 1S (1-877-568-3317),
or go to wwwredcross and click on "Family Links Registry" to:




-- Register yourself

-- Register a loved one, or

-- View the existing list of registrants


Family Links Registrants



More than 206,000 have been registered online.


Health & Preventative Care



Visit The Red Cross or The CDC for information about health strategies and preventative measures for those in affected areas.


Disaster Mental Health



To date, almost 282,000 people have received Red Cross Disaster Mental Health services.


How to Help


To Volunteer



Contact your local Red Cross chapter to become a volunteer. Well-meaning individuals are urged not to report directly to the affected areas.


To Donate



Making a financial contribution is the best way to help, to donate:




Call 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish)


Make at secure, online donation at The Red Cross

Visit an Official Red Cross (Cash) Donation Site (retailer locations or online)

Contact your local Red Cross chapter

View additional Red Cross Donation Tips


Funds Received



As of Sept. 19, 2005, the Red Cross has received $764.7 million in gifts and pledges for the hurricane relief effort, of which an estimated $337 million has been received online.




The Red Cross has a four-star rating from Charity Navigator for its effective use of donations. At least 91 cents of every dollar donated to the American Red Cross goes directly to assist disaster victims.


Additional Resources & Information - To learn more about the coordination of efforts among the many organizations and agencies helping hurricane survivors and for additional resources, visit usafreedomcorps.


redcross