Red Cross unveils new disaster response

ORLANDO, Fla., April 11 (UPI) -- The American Red Cross unveiled sweeping plans Tuesday to improve its emergency response, including stockpiling supplies in disaster-prone U.S. areas.

The overhaul was announced at the National Hurricane Conference in Orlando, Fla., and most elements of the initiative will be completed or under way by July 1, said Joseph Becker, the Red Cross's senior vice president of Preparedness and Response.

Among the priorities is a goal to warehouse food, cots, blankets and comfort kits in key risk states, which will enable the agency to serve 1 million meals and shelter 500,000 people per day in the initial days after a disaster strikes. That element will cost an additional $80 million for supplies and nearly tripling the amount of warehouse space needed around the country.

The agency said it will also begin establishing working relationships with other faith-based and community groups.

"We know that in time of very large disasters, many new organizations step forward and join the response effort," Becker said. "We plan to forge partnerships ahead of time so we can make coordination easier and give good partners what they need to better serve their community."