By: David Glancy,
Rachel Fedishen,
Heather Jenkins
What is the American Red Cross
 The American Red Cross is a humanitarian
organization, which means it is an organization taht
provides relief for people that become victims of
disasters
 It helps prevent, prepare for, and respond to
emergencies
 trains almost 12 million poeple with medical skills
Who works for the Red Cross
 It is led by volunteers and guided by a Congressional
Charter
 has over one million volunteer
 30,000 employees
The Red Cross also has five other
areas in addition to disaster relief
 community services that help the needy
 communications services and comfort for military
members and their family members
 the collection, processing and distribution of blood
and blood products
 educational programs on health and safety
 international relief and development programs.
The Fundamental Principles of the
International Red Cross and Red
Crescent Movement are:
 Humanity
 Impartiality
 Neutrality
 Independence
 Voluntary Service
 Unity
 Universiality
Humanity
 Help anyone who may need help and alleviate human
suffering wherever it may be found. Promtes mutal
understanding, friendship, cooperation, and peace
among all people.
Impartiality
 It makes no discrimination as to nationality, race,
religious beliefs, class or political opinions; and gives
to those are need the most help.
Neutrality
 The movement does not takes sides in hostilities or
engage in controversies of a political, racial, religious
or ideological nature.
Independence
 The Movement is independent. The National
Societies, while auxiliaries in the humanitarian
services of their governments and subject to the laws
of their respective countries, must always maintain
their autonomy so that they may be able at all times to
act in accordance with the principles of the Movement.
Voluntary Service
 It is a voluntary relief movement that is not prompted
by gain of any kind.
Unity
 There can be only one Red Cross or one Red Crescent
Society in any one country. It must be open to all.
Universality
 In the International Red
Cross and Red Crescent
Movement, all societies
have equal status and share
equal responsibilities and
duties in helping each
other. It is a worldwide
organization.
What are some
Red Cross Projects?
 Earthquake relief in Haiti:
 The Red Cross and Red Crescent stepped up and sent more than 600
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volunteers to the country. They, in turn, received help from
thousands of Haitian volunteers.
They brought relief supplies for 130,000 people; including blankets,
kitchen sets, hygiene kits, water containers, and mosquito nets.
Three million pre-packaged meals from the United Nations World
Food Program was also distributed through the Red Cross, and finally
more than enough funding to feed an additional one-million people
for one month.
As far as medical assistance goes, the Red Cross set up two field
hospitals that can treat 1,600 patients every day. They also supported
a government-led immunization and hygiene promotion campaign to
help protect and educate more than 250,000 children.
Lastly, providing shelter for those without homes in the form of tarps
and tents, and also supported host families who were housing
displaced families.
 Earthquake relief in Chile:
 The American Red Cross made $50,000 available for relief
operations while also helping people in Hawaii prepare for a
possible tsunami.
 Regional Red Cross disaster experts from Latin America were also
sent to Chile to support the response. The local Red Cross chapter
is readying volunteers and supplies in Hawaii to support any
response that may be needed.
 David Meltzer, Senior Vice President of International Services at
the American Red Cross says, “Our hearts go out to the people of
Chile as they struggle to deal with the immediate aftermath of
this earthquake and the many aftershocks that are continuing.
Thanks to the generosity of the American people who previously
donated to our International Relief Fund, we’ve been able to
release an initial pledge of $50,000 to help the Chilean people in
their hour of need and we stand ready to provide additional
assistance.”
 Similar relief efforts are being made in Chile as the ones being
made in Haiti.
Reflection
 We learned that the American Red Cross is an
organization that reaches out to people who are in
need. This group is based mainly on volunteers and
helping the community – both locally and
internationally.
 The volunteers are able to empathize with the
individuals they help which connects back to Pink.
 Pink says that empathy is an ethic for living. It is a
universal language that connects us beyond country or
culture.