# Disaster Capitalism Red Cross Partners with Walmart for Disaster Relief By Trend Spotter | Published 2006-08-29 | World Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/disaster-capitalism-red-cross-partners-with-walmart-for-disaster-relief References: [thenation](http://www.thenation.com/doc/20060911/klein) Apparently, businesses do disaster better. This was one of the key lessons during Hurricane Katrina which has now led the [Red Cross](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hometown-heroes) to form a new [disaster response partnership](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ashevilles-entrepreneurial-community) with Wal-Mart. Naiomi Campbell offers a unique perspective of this sort of partnership could lead to dependence on a skewed system of disaster capitalism. Read her article, "Pay to Be Saved," at the Nation. **Implications** - When a disaster strikes, companies rally together to help those in need. The companies are able to demonstrate [corporate social responsibility](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/carnival-corporation) and maintain a positive image for themselves. By doing this, those effected will also associate the company with humanitarianism for their help during desperate times. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.9/10 - Popularity: 65% | Activity: 15% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [World](https://www.trendhunter.com/world) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Disaster Relief Partnerships:** Creating partnerships between disaster relief organizations and companies like Walmart can provide more effective and efficient response to disasters. - **Dependence on Skewed System:** The formation of disaster response partnerships with corporations may lead to a system of disaster capitalism, where help during emergencies becomes dependent on corporate involvement. - **Corporate Social Responsibility:** Companies participating in disaster relief efforts can enhance their corporate social responsibility image and improve public perception. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Disaster Relief:** The disaster relief industry can benefit from forming strategic partnerships with corporations to improve disaster response and recovery efforts. - **Retail:** Retail industry, represented by Walmart in this case, can explore opportunities to collaborate with disaster relief organizations and leverage their resources for meaningful humanitarian impact. - **Media and Commentary:** Media and commentary industries have the opportunity to discuss, analyze, and raise awareness about the potential consequences and benefits of disaster capitalism and corporate involvement in disaster response. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Disaster Relief-Supporting Pr Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/publicity-for-good.md) - [Disaster Preparedness Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/disaster-preparedness1.md) - [Brand-Led Disaster Relief Efforts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/disaster-relief-efforts.md) - [Pet Disaster Plan Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pet-disaster-plan.md) - [Hurricane Relief Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hurricane-relief-initiative.md) - [Disaster-Ready Housing Prototypes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/essential-homes.md) - [Thoughtful Insurance Startups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/thoughtful-insurance.md) - [Disaster Preparedness Homeowner Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/documenting-for-disaster.md) - [Cruise Company-Led Meal Donations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/carnival-corporation.md)