The American Red Cross in Greater New York (ARC/GNY) is currently assisting in response and relief operations for Hurricane Katrina. This effort is the largest response to a single, natural disaster in the 125-year history of the organization.

Since Friday, August 26, an ARC/GNY Response Center Network staffed by volunteers and staff working 12-hour shifts have handled more than 500 calls a day from people in the affected areas and from friends and families around the world. The center will remain open and take calls throughout the course of the crisis.

More than 20 ARC/GNY trained staff and volunteers are assisting victims in the affected areas. Others will join up to 3,000 Red Cross personnel on the scene in the South.

Working to respond to the needs of the people of the Gulf Coast, the American Red Cross is supporting the feeding and sheltering of thousands of evacuees at the Houston Astrodome, as well as approximately 52,500 people in areas around Louisiana.

Two hundred and seventy five American Red Cross shelters are open in 9 states: Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Tennessee, Arkansas, Florida and Georgia, with more on standby. The Red Cross is working closely with several partners, including the Southern Baptist Convention, the Adventists and Second Harvest to provide emergency food to survivors and responders. In coordination with the Southern Baptists, preparations are underway to serve nearly 500,000 hot meals each day.

Nearly 94 Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) from across the country are now in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, with nearly 90 additional ERVs en route to the affected area, to conduct food distribution. We are working to engage additional vehicles for food distribution to survivors.

Red Cross is also working closely with our government and health services partners, to develop health strategies and preventative measures to help the public and relief workers cope with the recently declared public health emergency.

Thanks to the generosity of the American people, the American Red Cross stands ready to meet the monumental challenge of helping to rebuild lives.

Anyone who wants to assist those affected by Hurricane Katrina can donate money to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund online or by calling 1-800-258-5534/ 1-877-381-5758 (Espanol).