U.S. Rep. Thompson blasts Red Cross on flood response
Thompson pressed Red Cross CEO Gail McGovern for details on the impact of its staffing cuts and how it plans to coordinate better with state emergency managers.
His letter referenced a ProPublica story published last week about concerns Mississippi officials expressed about the Red Cross’ lackluster performance. The head of Mississippi’s emergency management agency wrote in an email to his staff that the Red Cross’ help was “marginal at best.” In one instance, two Red Cross volunteers were trying to distribute supplies far away from flooded areas; in another, Red Cross volunteers left goods in a parking lot after feeling uncomfortable in a crowd.
“How do you get lost going to a disaster area, and how do you just leave supplies unattended?” Thompson said to ProPublica. “That’s not the response Congress intends to happen.”
Clarion Ledger
5/26/16
