WASHINGTON, May 14, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- The American Red Cross announced today that it has
received a generous pledge from Merck & Co., Inc., a leading
global biopharmaceutical company, to provide support for
health-related humanitarian needs stemming from a recent spike in
climate and weather disasters across the U.S. The country endured
an all-time high of 28 billion-dollar
weather and climate disasters last year alone, significantly
damaging local communities and driving an estimated 2.5 million
people from their homes.
The Red Cross will use Merck's funding to strengthen its
Community Adaptation Program, an initiative that aims to enhance
the ability of local nonprofits to improve access to essential
health services, nutritious food and safe housing. Currently, the
program operates in 18 disaster-prone counties across 13 states,
including New Jersey, where Merck
is headquartered.
"Climate change continues to have a devastating impact on the
health and well-being of populations and countries worldwide, and
the U.S. is no exception," said Allison
Goldberg, president of the Merck Foundation. "The relentless
cycle of destruction caused by climate-driven disasters is deeply
troubling to us, and we are proud to stand with the Red Cross as
they strengthen communities and expand access to care for people in
desperate need of help across the country."
"We see firsthand how chronic health conditions, food insecurity
and the availability of affordable housing are worsened by
disasters," said Gail McGovern, president and CEO of the
American Red Cross. "Merck's generosity will accelerate our efforts
to forge stronger local partner networks and boost community
resilience to disasters. As a native of New Jersey, I am especially honored that Merck
will support our crucial work in Atlantic
County to help people experiencing severe hardships."
In addition to supporting domestic efforts, the Red Cross is
working to increase climate programming in its international work
as part of its broader climate crisis plan. To learn more, visit
redcross.org/climate.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds, and provides comfort to
victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood;
teaches skills that save lives; distributes international
humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and
their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that
depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to
deliver its mission. For more information, please
visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us
on social media.
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SOURCE American Red Cross