The American Red Cross Hawai'i State Chapter has sent two relief workers to New Orleans and is in the process of contacting more workers as needed, said Cassandra Isidro, chief operating officer. The chapter's chief executive officer, Coralie Chun Matayoshi, also is preparing to go, Isidro said.

As for supplies, the Hawai'i chapter will not be involved in that effort, Isidro said.

The Hawai'i relief effort also includes the Hawai'i Disaster Medical Assistance Team, a joint effort between the Healthcare Association of Hawai'i and the state Department of Health.

A 10-member medical strike team was preparing to leave yesterday after receiving a request from the Federal Emergency Management Agency on Sunday. The team — about 50 doctors, nurses, paramedics, logistics and communication specialists, respiratory therapists, pharmacists and mental health professionals — will provide personnel to meet specialized needs of the disaster operation on an individual basis.

"This is the first real-world deployment of the new Hawai'i team following a three-day exercise conducted on the Big Island earlier this month," said team leader Toby Clairmont. "We are ready to provide support to this devastating disaster."

Reach Suzanne Roig at sroig@honoluluadvertiser.com.