This past spring, the American Red Cross responded to
devastating floods across Louisiana to help thousands of
people in need, and we stand by that response. More than
1,100 Red Cross volunteers delivered vital humanitarian aid
and critical relief services there over the course of 10 weeks.
More than half of those volunteers are residents of the state
and dedicated members of the community, and throughout
this spring flooding event, were committed to alleviating the
suffering of over 9,000 of their neighbors in 37 of the state’s
64 parishes.
You have asked us to comment on a handful of emails and
quotes from four emergency managers and three residents
out of the 37 parishes and the 9,000 Louisianans we served
regarding a complicated response effort spanning more
than half of Louisiana. Very simply, these emails and quotes
are not representative of the Red Cross response in
Louisiana.
Throughout the entire Louisiana relief operation, Red Cross
volunteers – funded by the generosity of donors from across
the country – helped parish governments, community
partners, and flood survivors meet their disaster needs
through the provision of 30 shelters, 29 mobile feeding
vehicles, 12 relief item distribution sites, 5 feeding sites, and
4 mobile kitchens. Red Cross volunteers also disbursed
emergency cash assistance to more than 8,000 Louisianans

 to assist with their immediate needs.
Every day, the Red Cross takes decisive and actionable steps
with our partners across the country to improve operational
readiness and relationships with emergency management
officials and community leaders. We also engage in candid
conversations about the capacity and capabilities of our
organization to best serve disaster victims. The Red Cross, as
a donor-funded, volunteer relief organization, remains
committed and ready to always seek the best outcomes for
the communities we proudly live in and serve.