AMERICAN RED CROSS ROLE IN SHELTERING SHIFTS AS FLOOD RECOVERY PROGRESSES

AMERICAN RED CROSS ROLE IN SHELTERING SHIFTS AS FLOOD RECOVERY PROGRESSES
North Dakota Dept. of Human Services to Administer Shelters as of July 29

MINOT, North Dakota, July 25, 2011 – The American Red Cross and government officials have determined that the North Dakota Department of Human Services will assume the role of managing and administering shelter operations in Minot starting on Friday, July 29.

“The Red Cross has worked in close coordination with local, state and federal emergency officials to develop a long-term shelter plan that will meet the needs of Minot residents,” said Mid-Dakota Chapter Executive Director Allan McGeough. “The Red Cross is best equipped to handle emergency sheltering and as planning shifts from response to recovery efforts, it’s natural for the Red Cross role to shift as well. We’re focused on making this transition as smooth as possible for each person currently staying with us.” 

Red Cross disaster response in Minot began on June 21, and to date we’ve deployed more than 900 workers to help residents by:
• Providing nearly 8,300 overnight stays;
• Serving 61,000 meals and 174,000 snacks;
• Distributing nearly 5,700 clean-up kits;
• Providing more than 3,200 mental health and  3,600 health services consultations; and
• Supporting the development of nearly 1,500 recovery plans for families through casework.

“This response demonstrates the commitment of the Red Cross to the citizens of Minot and the surrounding communities,” said McGeough. “But without generous financial donations and dedicated volunteers, the Red Cross wouldn’t be able to provide help in communities like Minot. Thank you for supporting our work.”

The Mid-Dakota Chapter office is temporarily located in Room 202 of the City of Minot Auditorium. The phone number is 852.2828. The chapter office is in the process of being restored. If people are still in need of a clean-up kit or developing a disaster recovery plan, they should contact the Chapter office at 852.2828.

You can help people affected by disasters like floods as well as countless crises at home and around the world, by making a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in response to disasters. Visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS. Contributions may also be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.