COM 0157.000 2006-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

With the threat of avian flu, bio -terrorist attacks, and major natural disasters, the American Red Cross is more relevant and necessary than ever before. And with global warming and changing weather patterns, it is not "if' but "when" a major disaster in Hawaii will occur. Big Island Disasters: the Big Island has had more than its share of disasters over the years, including devastating tsunami, lava flows, flooding, heavy rains, high surf, earthquakes, brush fires, air crashes, explosions and hazardous material incidents. Whatever the incident, the Red Cross has always been there, ready to help those in need. A very recent example of Red Cross assistance after a disaster occurred after the earthquake that caused major damage to West Hawaii. Emergency assistance was provided to 524 people during this time period and 622 meals were served in the response ■ Over 10,000 homes were surveyed for residential disaster assessment ■ 217 cases were opened for emergency assistance ■ 160 calls were received statewide via a hotline for requests for immediate aid and for family reunification information. ■ 126 individuals were provided crisis counseling services ■ 8 family reunification requests were fulfilled ■ 110 volunteers and staff participated in the disaster relief operation to include 4 volunteers from the mainland ■ Red Cross partnered with Salvation Army and Hawaii Pacific Baptists to serve over 500 meals at the Disaster Recovery Centers. ■ 100 clean-up kits were donated by Wal-Mart. ■ More than $600,000 was donated to the American Red Cross which well exceeded the costs of the disaster relief operation. Two- thirds of this donation was given to the Hawaii Community Foundation to manage for the Voluntary Organization Active in Disaster's Long -Term Recovery Committee, the Kona Community Hospital and The North Kohala Community Resource Center. The Hawaii Red Cross provides compassionate aid to people in Hawaii who fall victim to natural and man-made disasters that occur on the average of twice a week in Hawaii. The vast majority of them live in low to moderate income areas, and since over half of them do not own their homes and have no property insurance, they are truly destitute after a fire destroys their home. Statewide, we respond to an average of 108 disasters statewide, affecting over 3,300 individuals per year. On the Big Island, we provided 209 families with disaster relief in the past 4 years. NONPROFIT GRANT APPLICATION FISCAL YEAR 2007-08 Page 3