The following statement regarding Red Cross support for migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in the United States may be attributed to the American Red Cross:
“Every day around the world, people make the difficult decision to leave their homes — and their countries — with the hope of finding a safer place to live and hope for a better future. Families migrate for different reasons: conflict, violence, human rights violations, lack of economic prospects, or natural disasters. At the American Red Cross, we believe that every human deserves to be safe and healthy — regardless of citizenship status.
As an impartial, neutral and independent humanitarian network, the Red Cross is committed to supporting the humanitarian needs of migrants in accordance with our seven fundamental principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality. As a humanitarian organization, these principles guide our actions every day and compel us to alleviate human suffering in the U.S. and around the world.
On the U.S.-Mexico border, children and families continue to face uncertainty as their asylum claims are being processed.
In El Paso specifically, the Red Cross is coordinating with and supporting local government and NGO partners. We have moved shelter supplies to El Paso and have Red Cross volunteers onsite to support shelters established by our partners. We are also supporting various organizations providing aid to migrants along the U.S.-Mexico border and in several other cities throughout the U.S.
This includes supporting organizations with services for migrants in their care by providing training and relief supplies such as cots, blankets, hygiene items, first aid kits and towels. And, depending on local needs, our assistance might also include providing food, water, comfort, health services and mental health support.
We aim to prevent and mitigate additional humanitarian consequences that migration can bring — including the potential for separation and loss of contact with family, disappearances of family members or loved ones, detention and medical issues. The Red Cross has provided phones to organizations working in the region, which migrants can use to reconnect with family members back home to let them know they’re safe.
Red Cross and Red Crescent teams have long delivered humanitarian relief to refugees, migrants and asylum seekers around the world. The Red Cross is committed to delivering help to anyone in distress — regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation or citizenship status — and to always remain a neutral and impartial party, so we can reach and help people when and where it is needed most.
For a more robust picture of how the American Red Cross aids refugees, migrants and asylum seekers, please visit: https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/how-does-the-american-red-cross-help-migrants.html"
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.