Donations update
09.02.2005 - 12:30pm

The American Red Cross Shelter located at the Student Recreation Center has asked that NO MORE donations be brought to the Student Rec. They have been overwhelmed by the huge hearts of the Tuscaloosa community and all needs have been met for the next week. There are alternate drop-off locations listed here.

American Red Cross Efforts Update

This information is the latest available on the American Red Cross response to Hurricane Katrina as of 1:30 p.m. September 6. Shelter populations fluctuate based on the time of day and other factors.

Disaster Relief Operations Information at a Glance 9/6/05*
Consolidated	Period	Total to date
Shelters/evacuation centers	490	588
Shelter population	125,941	145,711
Meals	485,983	3,907,278
Snacks	618,830	4,562,203

Under the National Response Plan, the Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) work cooperatively, with the Red Cross providing "mass care" - food, shelter, bulk distribution of disaster relief supplies, first aid, and disaster welfare information.

Mass Care

Since Hurricane Katrina first came ashore in Florida, the American Red Cross has housed over 145,000 people in more than 580 shelters in 18 states.

The American Red Cross has served more than 3.3 million hot meals to survivors of Hurricane Katrina.

More than 5,600 trained Red Cross workers have left their homes in every corner of the United States to join thousands of local volunteers who responded immediately to help their neighbors in need.

In the wake of a catastrophic disaster, the potential for illness and injury is heightened. Storm survivors are particularly vulnerable due to flood conditions, damaged sanitation and water treatment systems.

Simple precautions include: washing hands regularly with soap or using hand sanitation products; avoiding flood waters; draining standing water; protecting yourself from mosquitoes. For additional information, refer to www.redcross.org or www.cdc.gov.

Disaster Welfare Inquiries

Evacuees and loved ones separated by this disaster should go to www.redcross.org or call 1-877-LOVED-1S to join the "Family Linking Registry." To date, more than 105,000 people have registered.

Emergency Financial Assistance

The Red Cross will provide direct financial assistance to disaster victims in the form of Client Assistance Cards for basic needs such as food, clothes and temporary housing. This will be done through call centers set up by the American Red Cross. Please call 1-866-GET-INFO for more information.

Mental Health Services

The Red Cross provides mental heath services to disaster victims by providing immediate crisis counseling by licensed mental health professionals. In the event a victim needs longer-term care, the Red Cross will refer them to other community-based professionals.

Further Information

In addition, updated information may also be obtained on the following Red Cross websites:

www.redcross.org or www.disasterrelief.org