American Red Cross Disasters Services

The American branch of the Red Cross is the humanitarian movement within the United States that provides similar functions such as a disaster relief program and prevention of human suffering as its international sister organizations. American disaster relief is just one of its many functions of the American Red Cross. The organization helps the needy, provides communication services for the military, the collection of blood and related products for those that need it, provides educational resources about health and safety, and international disaster relief development initiatives.

All of the decisions made by the American Red Cross are done by volunteers and donations from the community help support it. It has 700 chapters and 36 different Blood Service region all across the country. About 30,000 volunteers provide mobilized services for American Red Cross disaster relief duties for people effected by 67,000 disasters annually. It is also the largest supplier of blood and blood-related products, providing them to over 3,000 hospitals across the entire nation. Even with all of these good natured humanitarian services under its belt, the American Red Cross has a history of controversies. It is not surprising, however, because when an organization performs such sensitive duties, such as a disaster relief program, chances are that they will not please everybody.

The September 11 Disaster Relief Funds Controversy:
Like many other humanitarian organizations, the American Red Cross established a disaster relief program and disaster relief funds for the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. They provided blood donations, supplies and disaster relief funds for the victims of the attack. The American Red Cross was criticized though, because they set up blood drives that were unnecessary in their disaster relief program efforts. The organization claimed that the attacks were a sign of instability and it would do good for the American people to donate blood for when it is needed. America’s Blood Centers claimed that local blood donations were sufficient enough, and as it turned out, a lot of blood went unused.

Further criticism at the American Red Cross’s disaster relief program for the terrorist attacks was aimed at its disaster relief funds initiative, called the Liberty Fund. After the disaster relief funds initiative was completed and closed after October, it was found that $547 million was received to be used for its disaster relief program. However, only 30 percent of the money was used under disaster relief guidelines for victims’ needs. The remaining money instead went to blood supply funds, programs to improve telecommunications, and programs for terrorist attack preparedness across the nation.

In addition, critics of the American Red Cross’s handling of the September 11 attacks claim that a significant portion of the disaster relief funds were given to upscale New Yorkers. They believe that these people were “traumatized” or “inconvenienced” by the attacks but may not have needed financial aid. All of these controversial decisions in the disaster relief funds resulted in New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer to investigate the Red Cross.

United Nations

Disaster relief professionals (also known as emergency managers or emergency workers) are trained in a variety of disciplines in all aspects of emergency response, preparation, relief and mitigation. Disaster relief work encompasses the preparation of government, organization and community officials so that they will be able to effectively respond to and act in the event of an emergency situation. There are many international, national and local relief organizations that contribute their efforts for responding to and preventing both man-made and natural disasters. Some of the widest-known relief organizations are detailed below:

International Organizations:

United Nations:

Although the United Nations handles many affairs other than disaster response, they are also a relief organization, providing aid to many different countries. The Resident Coordinator that is assigned to a country is in charge of organizing an emergency response. In most cases, a United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team is sent out to help facilitate communication and organization.

Red Cross / Red Crescent:

The Red Cross / Red Crescent relief organizations is comprised of a group of 186 societies within many countries that deliver significant contributions in the event of a crisis. Their primary focus is on the disaster relief and recovery aspect of emergency management. Their goal is to “improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity” by promoting humanitarian principals and values, educating the public for better preparedness, and to supplementing the societies with youth activities.

World Bank:

The World Bank is a relief organization that has contributed about $40 billion in disaster management in 500 operations since 1980. Not only does the World Bank provide disaster relief through reconstruction projects, budget also goes towards the prevention of disasters and the minimization of damage done by a disaster through mitigating efforts. The countries most affected by the World Bank are Argentina, Bangladesh, Colombia, Haiti, India, Mexico, Turkey, and Vietnam.

National Organizations:

United States:

FEMA:

The agency most responsible in the United States for emergency management is the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which is directed under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Under the directives of FEMA, the United States is divided into ten regions that respond to emergency situations under a hierarchy of several agencies across tribal, state, county and local jurisdictions.

Citizen Corps:

A volunteer relief organization, it is a system that is used for local situations, but at the same time, it is coordinated nationally by the DHS. Their primary focus is disaster mitigation and preparation of emergency response through education, training, and spreading their message.

United Kingdom:

In the United Kingdom, the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 defines relief organizations as either Category 1 and 2 Responders. Disaster management is generally handled by local organizations. One of them, the Institute of Emergency Management, was established in 1996 and provides consultation and communication relating to disasters to the government and media.

Canada:

Public Safety Canada:

Canada’s primary emergency management relief organization, Public Safety Canada (PS) coordinates and provides assistance to ensure that national security and the safety of citizens is preserved.