The NAACP has been a partner of the American Red Cross since 1981. Volunteers from the NAACP volunteer with the American Red Cross in the event of the major disaster. In addition, they engage in preparedness discussions and other activities with Disaster Partnerships.

During the response to the Alabama Spring Tornadoes in 2011, the American Red Cross invited the NAACP to establish a shared command center within our Red Cross relief operations headquarters in Birmingham. This partnership demonstrated to our clients and the public a shared commitment to ensure effective and inclusive service delivery.

The NAACP team of state leaders, volunteers and staff was able to provide critical situational awareness regarding the unmet needs in potentially underserved and/or isolated communities, as well as facilitate interaction with diverse communities that were perhaps reluctant to dialogue with the Red Cross and others from the disaster response community.

As a result of this collaborative and innovative effort, the Alabama Red Cross was chosen to receive an Alabama State Conference of the NAACP Partner of the Year Award for 2011. We wish to congratulate the Alabama Red Cross for receiving this award, and extend our appreciation to the NAACP for their continued support in helping us help those affected by disaster in their time of need.