Support Communities Impacted by the Devastating LA Wildfires
Newsroom: Public Statements Jan 16, 2025

National CAPACD extends deep care and solidarity with communities impacted by the deadly wildfires that have devastated Southern California for over a week. Over 100,000 residents have been displaced or remain under mandatory evacuation orders and are suffering from the environmental harms caused by the wildfires. Thousands of structures, many of which were homes and livelihoods for community members, were destroyed.

South Asian Network staff providing in-language information about the long-term effects of smoke inhalation and the importance of mask-wearing

National CAPACD has been checking in with our member organizations in the greater Los Angeles area, who responded immediately and tirelessly to anticipate and meet community needs – all while many of their staff are personally impacted themselves. Relief and assistance often do not reach the most marginalized, including low-income, immigrant, and Limited English Proficient community members who are at increased risk during such disasters. Our members are doing the critical work of filling this gap – sharing in-language information, distributing masks, water, food, and first aid, providing shelter, and collecting donations for relief and recovery.

Chanchanit (Chancee) Martorell, executive director of Thai Community Development Center, shared “Thai CDC has launched our Emergency Intervention and Relief Services to render aid and relief to hard-to-reach populations whose needs would otherwise be bypassed completely. We will also help them access government resources, relief funds, and public benefits through our navigational assistance, public benefit enrollments, and case management services. It is critical that we render the invisible visible during a crisis of such enormous magnitude and ensure that the most vulnerable, in particular, do not get left behind.”

As we have witnessed too frequently in recent times, natural disasters often exacerbate existing challenges, such as the homelessness crisis in Los Angeles. There is much work that lies ahead in the greater Los Angeles area, and we appreciate our member organizations’ tremendous dedication and perseverance to centering our communities through crisis. We will support them as they consider and plan for long-term recovery efforts that restore shelter and safety and facilitate community building and healing.

National CAPACD has compiled a working list of resources and places to donate below. If you know of other resources or relief efforts that you would like us to include, please share them by emailing membership@nationalcapacd.org.

Member organizations

Federal assistance

Donations

Resources for leadership during crisis

General resources