How Does the American Red Cross Respond to International Disasters?
As part of the world's largest humanitarian network, the American Red Cross maintains a corps of trained disaster responders and strategically positions relief supplies worldwide to deliver immediate support. Our help is triggered by a request from the local Red Cross or Red Crescent team in the country affected and can take the form of relief supplies, cash, telecommunications, mapping, disaster management, and other contributions.
When Does the American Red Cross Deploy International Disaster Responders?
The American Red Cross plays a different role in international crises than in domestic disasters. Since the countries' Red Cross and Red Crescent organizations have their own staff and volunteers who are trained to respond to large-scale disaster operations, we send specialists abroad only after the Red Cross or Red Crescent team requests assistance. On average, the American Red Cross deploys only 20 to 30 people each year to international disasters.