Red Cross Cost of Hurricane Isabel Relief Efforts Outpacing Disaster Relief Fund Resources

American Red Cross
Thursday, 2 October 2003

Massive relief efforts across five states expected to cost $14-$17 Million; public urged to call 1-800-HELP-NOW to donate

More than a week after Hurricane Isabel unleashed her fury on the central Atlantic states, the massive effort has also taken a heavy toll on the Disaster Relief Fund, the conduit through which corporations and the American public share their compassion for the victims by providing the financial resources necessary for the relief effort.

Initial Red Cross costs for disaster relief from Isabel are estimated at $14 to $17 million. To date only a fraction of the dollars needed to meet these costs have been donated. Since September 16, the American public has given approximately $800,000 to the Fund. Additionally, a number of companies have made early financial pledges.

The Lilly Endowment Inc. responded immediately by donating $3.5 million to support our response efforts for Hurricane Isabel and other disasters. They hope this will encourage other corporations and foundations to do the same. Other supporters who give annually to the Red Cross to help the organization respond to disasters, include State Farm, Federal Express and others.

Despite an empty Disaster Relief Fund as Isabel made landfall, the Red Cross continues its mission to provide food, shelter, and emotional support to the victims of Isabel and hundreds of disasters across the country. Normally, $56 million is considered the minimum fund balance necessary to provide a full complement of relief to victims of this and other disasters.

"With the largest mobilization of volunteers and resources since September 11th, the Red Cross response to Hurricane Isabel is an enormous undertaking," said American Red Cross President and CEO, Marsha J. Evans. "Despite generous support from many Americans, the cost of this operation is currently outpacing donations. We need continued financial support to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund."

A Campaign Cabinet of 14 entrepreneurial and innovative leaders has been formed to assist the Red Cross in replenishing the Fund. Cabinet members from organizations including the American Express Foundation, BearingPoint, Dell Corporation, Federal Express, NBC's Today Show and State Farm are helping to raise money and awareness to ensure the Red Cross is there for disaster victims nationwide.

As clean-up and recovery efforts continue, 162 Red Cross emergency response vehicles are driving street-by-street into the affected communities providing over 1.5 million meals, snacks, and water. Two Red Cross kitchens are operational and 18 Southern Baptist Disaster Relief kitchens are supporting additional Red Cross feeding activities. While many residents still face significant clean-up duties, the Red Cross is distributing brooms, rakes, shovels, mops, cleaning agents, gloves, trash bags and insect repellent to people cleaning up around their residences.

Immediately after the storm, Red Cross damage assessment teams canvassed neighborhoods throughout the disaster areas to survey the extent of damage and to determine the number of homes affected. Preliminary assessments indicate that as many as 2,243 homes were destroyed by the storm, 11,856 sustained major damage and 32,602 homes suffered minor damage.

More than 59,400 people have had a safe place to stay, received hot meals and cold beverages, and have begun planning their recovery thanks to the extraordinary efforts of more than 12,300 Red Cross volunteers.

The Red Cross Disaster Information Resource Center has been operational 24 hours a day since the storm hit. Resources for callers include shelter information, disaster preparedness and response activities, post-disaster assistance and recovery information. Those still in need of assistance are urged to call 1-866-GET-INFO. More than 100 Red Cross workers remain available to answer calls, receiving 16,899 calls and handling the needs of 3,599 families since the storm made landfall.

Successful partnerships with state and local agencies, local health departments, and other critical partner agencies are helping to speed-up the delivery of vital services to affected communities. For example, the Red Cross has readied its information systems to exchange basic client information with other partner agencies in the hopes of speeding-up service to victims.

While the Red Cross is ensuring that adequate blood supplies are available, the storm has left national blood inventory levels critically low. In order to replenish supplies, donors are encouraged to schedule an appointment to give blood by calling 800-GIVE-LIFE.

All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of Hurricane Isabel and thousands of other disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. Call 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org. Official donation sites for the public also include Coinstar, Food Lion, Kash n' Karry, Lowe's Companies, Inc., Winn-Dixie locations, as well as participating McDonalds locations in Virginia and the Baltimore area.

For more information, or to contact American Red Cross, see their website at: www.redcross.org