Key takeaways
- Amazon has partnered with the American Red Cross for more than seven years.
- In 2024 alone, Amazon supported the mission of the Red Cross with contributions worth $3 million, ranging from disaster relief supplies to employee blood donations.
- Amazon is proud to be a Red Cross Mission Leader, standing as one of the organization’s top contributors.
Every year, hurricanes, wildfires, and other disasters force millions of people from their homes. Many go to shelters to stay safe.
Together, Amazon and the American Red Cross are anticipating and meeting their needs. Amazon donated 16,000 solid-colored tote bins to the Red Cross this year so evacuees are able to store their belongings at shelters with dignity.
This is just one of many examples of how a long-term partnership between Amazon and the Red Cross is making a difference for communities and families impacted by disasters.
From totes to tarps to blood donations, learn more about the impact of our partnership.
How our partnership makes a difference through scale and speed
Amazon has a been partner to the Red Cross for more than seven years, and is proud to be a Red Cross Mission Leader, standing as one of the organization’s top eight contributors. In 2024 alone, Amazon’s contributions to the Red Cross were valued at more than $3 million, ranging from essential supplies to employee blood donations.
“Helping communities prepare for and overcome natural disasters is a key part of Amazon’s commitment to being a good neighbor,” said Abe Diaz, head of Amazon Disaster Relief, “and whenever there is a disaster in the U.S., American Red Cross is there to help communities get back on their feet.”
The Amazon–Red Cross partnership is built for scale and speed, with each organization using their strengths to help as many people as possible recover as quickly as possible after a disaster strikes.
Needs vary from disaster to disaster, sometimes minute by minute. Amazon works closely with the Red Cross and other relief partners to lend our extensive delivery network, vast product selection, and innovative employees to help. Amazon aims to deliver exactly what Red Cross and other partners need within hours.
“As a vital disaster relief thought partner, Amazon’s expertise and logistical resources power our responses across the country, helping ensure stocked warehouses, just-in-time supply delivery, and customized materials meet our very unique needs,” said Trevor Riggen, Red Cross president of humanitarian services.
Amazon has 15 strategically located Disaster Relief hubs around the world to rapidly donate and deliver essential relief items. Our first and largest relief hub is located just steps away from the Red Cross warehouse near Atlanta, Georgia, poised to respond quickly to the hurricanes that form in the Atlantic.
Common donations from Amazon to the American Red Cross include hygiene products, tarps, cleaning supplies, medical devices, snacks, and more.
How Amazon partners with Red Cross before disasters strike
Getting prepared before a disaster strikes is crucial, and Amazon and Red Cross’s preparation begins far before hurricane or wildfire season.
We know that tarps—large and sturdy enough to temporarily serve as a roof—are one of the most frequently needed items after a hurricane. That’s why Amazon has donated and delivered more than 63,000 of them to the Red Cross to fulfill their entire forecasted needs for two consecutive years. Versatile and portable, the tarps can also be used as makeshift tents, blankets, and backpacks. Our tarp and tote donations are just a few examples of how we’re working together to get prepared even before we know what’s coming.
Disasters can also impact the collection of lifesaving blood when drives are canceled or postponed due to unsafe conditions. In fact, every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood, and the Red Cross provides 40% of this blood—so ensuring a robust supply is ready and available is crucial. Amazon is a top blood drive sponsor for the Red Cross, and to date, our employees have supported more than 300 blood drives, collecting more than 7,000 lifesaving units of blood in 31 states.
How you and your family can prepare for disasters
Just as Amazon and Red Cross prepare before disasters strike, you and your family can prepare, too.
Following these simple steps before a disaster strike can increase your ability to stay safe and build your confidence in meeting the challenge that disasters pose for everyone, according to the Red Cross.
- Make a plan to stay safe. Depending on the emergency, you may need to stay where you are or go somewhere else to stay safe. If you must evacuate, think about where you will go, how you will get there, where you will stay and what you’ll take with you.
- Gather important supplies. Next, gather and organize critical supplies—like food, water and medicine—into a go-kit and a stay-at-home kit. Your go-kit should include three days of supplies that you can take with you. Your stay-at-home kit should have two weeks of food and water, and a one-month supply of medications, if possible. Customize your kit based on your family’s needs.
- Know how you’ll stay connected. Finally, make a plan to reconnect with loved ones if you are separated or if the phone or internet is down.
If you’ve experienced a disaster and need help, contact your local authorities to be connected to nearby recovery resources or find shelters and essential services through the American Red Cross.
Since 2017, Amazon has donated and delivered more than 26 million relief items to support communities impacted by more than 200 natural disasters around the world.
