An Overview of the Red Cross Response

The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its congressional charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, provides relief to victims of disaster and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.

The Red Cross was on the scene even before Hurricane Charley made landfall in August 2004 and remained on the ground providing critical emergency services through three subsequent and brutal storms. What transpired has turned into the largest hurricane relief operation in the organization's 123-year history.

The Role Entrusted to the Red Cross
An Inside Look at Disaster Relief Services
Improving the Client Experience
Beyond Emergency Relief
Related Content

The Role Entrusted to the Red Cross

In 1905, Congress chartered the American Red Cross to "carry out a system of national and international relief in time of peace, and apply that system in mitigating the suffering caused by pestilence, famine, fire, floods and other great national calamities, and to devise and carry out measures for preventing those calamities." Our charter is not only a grant of responsibility; it is also a covenant of duties and obligations to the nation, to disaster victims, and to the people who generously support our work with their donations. The charter requires the American Red Cross to maintain a system of domestic and international disaster relief.

The American Red Cross is the only non-governmental agency with responsibilities under the National Response Plan and, traditionally, relies on private donors to support relief activities, not taxpayer funds.

An Inside Look at Red Cross Disaster Relief Services

American Red Cross disaster relief focuses on meeting people's immediate emergency disaster-caused needs. The primary goal of Red Cross disaster relief is to assist individuals and families to resume their normal daily activities independently.

Mass care: The most visible and well known Red Cross disaster relief activities are sheltering, feeding, and the distribution of essential supplies, such as home clean-up kits. The Red Cross opens shelters for those displaced by a disaster and provides a safe, supportive environment for days, weeks, or longer, depending on the impact to the community.

Family services: After a disaster, trained Red Cross workers speak with families to determine their needs. Assistance may include providing the means for them to pay for groceries, new clothes, and temporary housing. The Red Cross also lets people know about other community or government resources available to them and helps those needing long-term recovery assistance when other resources are inadequate.

Health services: In a disaster, people may be injured, lose essential prescription medicines or suffer from allergies. Red Cross health care professionals deliver first aid and attend to other health-related matters. The Red Cross may help pay for certain medical needs, including essential replacement medication; medical equipment, such as eyeglasses and crutches; and emergency medical treatment.

Mental health services: Licensed mental health practitioners -- who are trained to recognize the emotional impact of a disaster on families, individuals, and relief workers -- provide guidance and a sympathetic ear for all those in need. These counselors visit disaster zones and are available at Red Cross shelters and service centers to educate disaster victims about common stressors related to loss and trauma and to teach them coping methods. Counselors also may provide mental health referrals to those in need of additional emotional support following a disaster.

Welfare information: Disasters often cut communication lines and separate families. Using its nationwide network of approximately 900 chapters and drawing on national resources, the Red Cross provides the means for family members and disaster survivors to find each other, from tracking down a survivor or loved one to reuniting families. If a loved one is in the affected area, family members from outside the area can also call their local chapter and request assistance in determining the well-being of their family member.

See detailed Service Delivery and Cost Breakdowns

Improving the Client Experience Through Technology and Partnering

Client Assistance System: The Client Assistance System (CAS) is an automated client casework system that provides real-time access to client information no matter where services are provided. CAS allows for clients to access services from any point within the relief operation or among chapters using CAS, without fear of duplication. CAS also provides for better management information and allows for supervisory input from any location.

Beyond Emergency Relief

Sometimes a disaster's impact is felt so widely that the Red Cross, with the help of donations from the American public, extends its recovery role -- offering relief services for months or even years after the event.

Red Cross humanitarian service continues as thousands of storm victims are faced with rebuilding what's been lost. We have been working around the clock in the hardest-hit areas, particularly throughout Florida , and our work will continue until every victim makes it through this very difficult time.

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• Carolinas Clean Up After Frances, Get Ready for Ivan
• Ice and Water Bring Relief to Storm Victims
• Clean up in Florida Begins
• Red Cross Ready to Respond in Florida