Hundreds of families in western Alaska are facing uncertainty after Typhoon Halong destroyed homes, damaged roads, and left the villages of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok heavily impacted. Many residents remain displaced as recovery efforts continue.
Amazon has responded by leveraging its logistics network to support relief operations led by the American Red Cross. The company donated and delivered over 6,800 emergency supplies to Anchorage via a dedicated Amazon Air flight from Seattle on October 19. This marked Amazon’s first disaster relief flight to Alaska.
The shipment included essential items such as bottles, diapers, pack-and-plays for families with infants, as well as canes and walkers for elderly or disabled residents. Additional supplies like coffee makers, towels, and box fans were provided to help stock shelters for evacuees who may face long-term displacement.
Abe Diaz, Amazon’s Head of Disaster Relief, stated: “Our response reflects what we’ve learned through years of disaster relief work: Speed and partnership save lives. That’s exactly what our teams did alongside the American Red Cross to deliver this critical Amazon Air flight to Alaska and bring essential supplies to those who need them most.”
The emergency supplies were dispatched from one of Amazon’s newest hubs in California within hours after the typhoon struck. This hub is part of a global network of 15 Disaster Relief hubs designed to quickly provide aid near disaster-prone regions.
Amazon has partnered with the American Red Cross for more than seven years in disaster recovery efforts. As winter approaches in Alaska, some remote communities are expected to remain uninhabitable due to lack of power, water, or access to food sources.
Cliff Holtz, president and chief executive officer of the American Red Cross, said: “The American Red Cross, our volunteers, and partners are working day and night to deliver help and hope to communities devastated by the storms and floods in Alaska. We are grateful to Amazon for their generous donation of supplies and logistics support, which allowed us to quickly and efficiently establish shelters in Anchorage and provide vital assistance to affected communities.”
