Expanding Our Disaster Recovery Support Amid a Changing Climate

By: Jennifer Pipa, Vice President of Disaster Programs

2023 has been a record-breaking year for billion-dollar disasters in the U.S. These extreme storms, floods and wildfires driven by the climate crisis have devastated communities and forced thousands of people to flee their homes. The sad reality is that many of these families face a number of hurdles as they struggle to recover.

During my years at the American Red Cross, I’ve gone back to many of these devastated areas, and it’s been heartbreaking to see some of the same families staying in our emergency shelters because they’ve been forced out multiple times. On top of the repetitive impact, the climate crisis is compounding the challenges that many communities with underlying vulnerabilities face. This cycle is something we’re seeing more and more of as the climate crisis worsens. It’s also one of the reasons why we’re making changes to better address the growing needs of the communities we serve.

Redefining Disaster Recovery

For those of us who work in emergency response, it’s clear that our changing climate is creating a humanitarian crisis for the communities and people we serve. Not that long ago, we mobilized relief efforts around seasonal outbreaks — hurricane season, wildfire season, storm season. But those seasons no longer exist as we once knew them.

Now, the Red Cross and our partners are responding to climate-driven disasters almost every day of the year — and many of these operations are overlapping. This new reality is beyond anything that we’ve experienced before. Simultaneous disasters of this size stretch the capacity of every organization involved — and the climate crisis shows no signs of slowing down.

As we navigate the challenges posed by the climate crisis, the Red Cross is adapting our disaster services and growing our capacity to help families and communities on the frontlines.?A key part of this vital work is initiating new disaster recovery programs to expand our financial assistance offerings for the families who depend on us in their darkest moments.

One Size Doesn’t Fit All

Every disaster is different, and so are the needs of each affected community and family as they begin to recover. At the Red Cross, we’ve created a menu of financial assistance programs that we may offer to qualified households, depending on the circumstances, to help people during this deeply personal and emotional journey.

This assistance is critical, as a 2022 study showed that nearly 40% of U.S. adults would need to borrow money or sell personal items to cover an unexpected expense of $400 or more.

Below are some of the unique types of disaster aid that we’re often able to provide to families facing the long and challenging road to recovery.

• Health and Mental Health Support: In the immediate aftermath of a disaster, we provide financial assistance to help people replace lost or damaged medications and medical equipment — think wheelchairs, CPAP machines and more. To offer solace in times of crisis, we also provide funds to replace lost spiritual or religious items, such as prayer mats, beads or texts, as well as offer assistance for those who need mental health support to cope with the aftermath of a disaster.
• Shelter Resident Transition Assistance: To help people struggling to get back on their feet after staying in our emergency shelters, we provide financial assistance to help them secure and move into more stable housing. This support provides a beacon of hope and allows a smoother transition for those with precarious post-disaster housing situations. For people facing complex hurdles, this aid can be essential as they begin to rebuild their lives after being displaced.
• ?Immediate Assistance: In the first few weeks after a disaster strikes, the Red Cross provides direct financial assistance to help families whose primary homes have suffered major damage or been destroyed. Families can use these funds to help build a sense of security by covering pressing needs, such as replacing lost belongings, or paying for extra childcare and transportation expenses.
• Bridge Assistance: This second round of financial assistance is available to qualifying households about two to three months after a large disaster. Designed to help families cope with any unmet need, this critical new program serves as a bridge between the help provided during the initial disaster response, but before longer-term community-based or governmental programs may be in place. Families can use these funds to cover any extra expenses or home repairs that would otherwise hamper their recovery.
• ?Expanded Recovery Assistance: Available about a year after a large disaster, this assistance is designed to help families who face more persistent and complex barriers to recovery. Many of the families who qualify for this assistance had underlying vulnerabilities before the disaster and need additional support.

Red Cross caseworkers, mainly volunteers from around the country, are a critical component of our recovery work. One-on-one, they connect individually with families to help them create disaster recovery plans, navigate paperwork and refer them to other organizations for additional support.

Helping families and communities recover after a disaster is a team effort — no one organization can meet every need. We work closely with partners to address the most critical gaps and ensure people are not overlooked.?

Mission in Action

Our commitment to disaster recovery goes beyond the practical; it's about reaching into the hearts of those grappling with loss and uncertainty and meeting their most urgent needs.

So far, in 2023, we’ve distributed more than $108 million in financial assistance directly to people after disasters of all sizes.?

As we navigate this new reality of climate-driven disasters, we're counting on the support of our community to help us continue our vital work. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those affected by these devastating events and build a more resilient future. Join me on December 12 at 1 p.m. ET on the American Red Cross LinkedIn page for a live conversation about the challenges posed by the climate crisis and how the Red Cross is transforming its disaster recovery support. You’ll also hear some of my personal disaster stories and learn how you can make a difference this holiday season and any time of year.

Ways You Can Make an Impact!

Disasters never take a break, even during the holidays. As you make plans with loved ones and prepare your home for the holidays, remember you have the power to make a meaningful difference in someone’s life when they need it most. Here are a just few ways you can lean in with your heart and Give Something that Means Something:

• Make a financial donation to help a family in need.
• Sign up to volunteer and respond to increasing disasters.
• Make an appointment and donate blood .
• Get trained in lifesaving skills.