American Red Cross National spokesperson Nicole Maul told Newsmax on Friday that the humanitarian organization will work in the Los Angeles area for the long haul and assist residents displaced by devastating wildfires.
"Right now, we're still very much in the response phase," Maul said on "Wake Up America." "As was mentioned, there are folks who don't know what they're coming back to, as so many evacuation orders are still in place as firefighters are fighting this battle. But the thing is, we know this is going to be difficult, but we also know, based on our long history of disaster response, we don't want any of these folks to walk that journey alone.
"So, in the next days, weeks, months, potentially even years, the Red Cross is going to be standing here in support of these folks, whether it's through shelter or other assistance, that we can provide mental health support. This is going to be a road to recovery that could take some time, but right now, focusing on what these immediate needs are and that's sheltering."
Maul, speaking from Los Angeles, said that it was "still fairly early in the morning," but "hundreds of folks across shelters throughout Los Angeles County are going to start waking up soon, and they're waking up to a new normal."
"Many of those folks are still unsure of what their next steps are," she said. "But right now, the Red Cross is prioritizing making sure folks have safe shelter and are staying safe. Last night, we saw another fire break out in the Los Angeles area, so we know that preparedness is still very critical to this moment in time. For the folks staying in shelter, I can tell you it's a place of respite. It's a place where you can come and feel some weight lifted off your shoulders. You're going to meet some of the nicest people. Our Red Crossers are here to bring you food, be a shoulder to talk to, and really provide that hope and comfort."
For people looking to help those who have lost everything in the fires, Maul said donations to the American Red Cross will ensure that the organization can support the fire victims in the long run.
"If you're looking to connect with our mission and help others who you've potentially never even met before, you can make a financial donation at redcross.org and that allows us to move quickly," she said. "So, even when new fires may pop up in this area, we can open shelters. But also, what is it going to look like for families six months down the road? Well, it's going to look like the Red Cross is a partner in this mission, and that's what we're planning for. So, your investment in our mission really allows us to support folks on the ground long term."
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