Mesures prises:
Actions Taken:
The American Red Cross maintains an active region throughout Alaska including 6 field offices. These offices engage local communities, including indigenous populations, in ongoing disaster preparedness, response and recovery activities. The American Red Cross has operated a longstanding preparedness program that responds to Alaska’s unique challenges including home fires impacting extremely rural communities, spring flooding from ice break ups, landslides, and other disasters related to the ongoing climate crisis. Red Cross staff and volunteers routinely conduct community outreach and preparedness events that are designed to improve awareness and post impact resiliency in affected communities. There are 430 active volunteers who log annually 50,000 hours serving their communities. Recent statistics show that the Alaska Region responds to 400 disasters annually, installed more than 1,000 smoke alarms and educated more than 750 youth through the Pillow Case Program and other community preparedness activities. More than 13,000 participants were involved in lifesaving training classes like First Aid/CPR/AED, aquatics and caregiving classes. These services are delivered in a respectful, culturally sensitive and inclusive manner.
Concrete Examples:
In February 2024, 4 members of the American Red Cross of Alaska Regional team including our Disaster Program Manager, AmeriCorps member, a volunteer leader, and a recruiter, traveled to Kotzebue, AK, a village of 3,100 residents, to provide preparedness information, install smoke alarms, and train youth on disaster preparedness. The team installed 182 smoke alarms, educated 286 youth ages 6-10, and recruited and initiated training for 3 new volunteers who are now learning to support sheltering and small response operations in their village. The team accomplished this by engaging multiple partners including the local fire department, the local tribal leadership and corporation, Kotzebue June Nelson Elementary School, the Alaska Commercial Company, General Communications Inc. (mobile phone service provider in Alaska), and the state emergency operations center. The community welcomed the strong presence from the Red Cross and the appreciation for helping the community become more resilient was clear.
“As a member of the tribal community of Alaska, I’m proud to support the team doing such valuable work across such a vast and often challenging jurisdiction. I’m excited to see the strengthening of partnerships with our neighbors, especially in remote, outlying villages, because every relationship we build or enhance educates us as to how we can tailor our programs to complement existing native and arctic resilience. The ongoing commitment of resources by the American Red Cross is apparent and appreciated.” Christopher Boyle – Division Disaster Director, American Red Cross and tribal member of the Sovereign Nation of the Kenaitze.
In addition to a strong and community supported preparedness program, the American Red Cross recently supported those impacted by Typhoon Merbok. The Red Cross assessed damage and impact in more than 27 villages and rural communities in the area. In addition to providing financial assistance, the American Red Cross provided non-standard relief items to support rural communities that primarily live in subsistence local villages. These items include fish drying racks, nets, vacuum sealers, insulation and other home building materials. We also provided a grant for $100,000 to Kawerak, a native non-profit who provides programs and assistance across the affected area, to further support subsistence living in local villages. The value and timing of these items were incredibly important as much of the food items gathered during the summer months were lost due to Merbok impacts. However, Red Cross assistance allowed local inhabitants to quickly restock and prepare for the long and difficult winters of remote and isolated Alaska. A major emphasis of this initiative was to adapt Red Cross programming to attain the best possible recovery results for those impacted. It was a priority of the American Red Cross to develop with local leaders a culturally sensitive response and recovery plan. Traditional values, needs and way of life were factored into the Red Cross’ support for the community. This was evident when members of the American Red Cross Disaster Mental Health team worked closely with local leaders to develop a series of resiliency, identity and community-strengthening workshops. These workshops were very successful in ensuring local residents were seen, heard and valued by the American Red Cross staff and empowered to chart a recovery path forward to amplify their unique sense of well-being. Our assistance continues through long-term recovery programs. In March 2024, we initiated a second grant to the Kawerak valued at $320,000. These funds will be used to provide water filtration systems to 867 households in the impact area. These funds and products will begin transferring to recipients in the coming months.
