Disaster Services
Each year, the American Red Cross responds immediately to more than 70,000 disasters, including house or apartment fires (the majority of disaster responses), hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hazardous materials spills, transportation accidents, explosions, and other natural and man-made disasters.
Red Cross disaster relief focuses on meeting people's immediate emergency disaster-caused needs. When a disaster threatens or strikes, the Red Cross provides the following:
In addition to these services, the core of Red Cross disaster relief is the assistance given to individuals and families affected by disaster to enable them to resume their normal daily activities independently.
Each year, the South Central Mississippi Chapter of the American Red Cross responds immediately to more than 1,000 disasters, including house or apartment fires (the majority of disaster responses), hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, hazardous materials spills, and other natural and man-made disasters. See Disaster Types for more information.
Although the American Red Cross is not a government agency, its authority to provide disaster relief was formalized when, in 1905, the Red Cross was chartered by Congress to "carry on a system of national and international relief in time of peace and apply the same in mitigating the sufferings caused by pestilence, famine, fire, floods, and other great national calamities, and to devise and carry on measures for preventing the same." The Charter is not only a grant of power, but also an imposition of duties and obligations to the nation, to disaster victims, and to the people who generously support its work with their donations.
The Red Cross also feeds emergency workers, handles inquiries from concerned family members outside the disaster area, and helps those affected by disaster to access other available resources.
»Picking up the pieces after a disaster or download pdf
Become A Disaster Volunteer
The American Red Cross is always looking for new volunteers! Our disaster volunteers provide assistance to those coping with a disaster such as house of apartment fires, floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes and other natural and man-made disasters. In order for us to continue providing disaster assistance to those in need, we need people like you to volunteer your time, money or talents. By volunteering as a disaster volunteer, you will embark on some of the most exciting work as a disaster volunteer. You will be able to see the affect your work has on people who are in need. From damage assessment teams to setting up and running shelters, you will be in a position to help others in your community when disaster hits.
When you volunteer with the American Red Cross, you will receive training from our qualified instructors in classes that will help you help others. Beginning with "Introduction to Disaster Services," you will learn how the American Red Cross volunteer teams strive to provide quality assistance to those affected by a disaster. We will also train you in first aid and CPR so you can be prepared for anything that may arise.
Click Here To Find Out How To Become A Red Cross Volunteer >>
