Additional disaster relief volunteers sought
While it will be days before officials know the full scope of the damage that Ida left behind in the Gulf Coast, approximately 600 American Red Cross volunteers are already in place assisting those impacted — and more volunteers are on the way.
Sunday night, more than 2,500 people sought refuge in some 60 Red Cross and community shelters across Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. The number of people seeking shelter is expected to increase in the coming days as power outages continue and people leave homes that are damaged or destroyed by the storm.
The American Red Cross’ Central & Southern Ohio Region currently has approximately 13 volunteers in Louisiana. Additional volunteers from our region are preparing to leave for the affected areas.
An Emergency Response Vehicle left the Dayton chapter early Sunday en route to Louisiana. ERVs are typically used for mobile feeding or the distribution of emergency supplies in this type of situation. Another Emergency Response Vehicle will leave from the region midweek.
In addition to the help provided to hurricane victims, local Red Cross volunteers are out West assisting those whose homes have been ravaged by the relentless wildfires. Local volunteers are also in Tennessee helping people recover from the aftermath of that deadly flooding.
Weather experts predict this to be a devastating hurricane season. The Red Cross needs new volunteers to support disaster shelters. Volunteers will help with reception, registration, food distribution, dormitory, information collection and other vital tasks inside disaster shelters.
The Red Cross also needs volunteers who can work in disaster shelters to address people’s health needs and provide hands-on care in alignment with their professional licensure, including RN, LPN, LVN, APRN, NP, EMT, paramedic, MD/DO or PA with a current and unencumbered license.
Daily observation and health screening for COVID-19-like illness among shelter residents may also be required.
After most disasters this year, the Red Cross plans to open group shelters. However, in some communities, hotels may be more appropriate if the risk of COVID-19, including the delta variant, is particularly high. The Red Cross will also continue many of the safety precautions implemented in 2020, including masks, health screenings, enhanced cleaning procedures and encouraging social distancing.
To volunteer go to redcross.org/volunteertoday. To make a donation to fund our disaster response efforts, please go to redcross.org/donate.