Читать книгу Disaster Response and Recovery - David A. McEntire - Страница 105

The American Red Cross is a national member of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRCRCS). These organizations were created because of the caring leadership of Henry Dunant. As a young man from Switzerland, Dunant recognized the need to assist those wounded during an 1859 battle in Solferino, Italy. Thousands of soldiers were injured in the conflict between the Austrian Army and the Franco‐Sardinian Alliance. Most of the wounded lay helpless and dying in the battlefield. Dunant organized a relief effort among citizens to provide medical care to the military personnel in need. He also advocated that prisoners on both sides be treated with respect and dignity. These principles were ratified in 1863 by many European governments in Geneva, Switzerland (now the headquarters of the Red Cross movement). Today, the ICRC is based on several principles:

 Humanity. The Red Cross has a desire to help those in need.

 Impartiality. The assistance it gives will be provided without discrimination.

 Neutrality. No preference will be shown toward either side involved in hostility.

 Independence. Each society acts autonomously according to the laws of each nation.

 Voluntary service. Volunteers and charitable service motivate actions, not profit.

 Unity. There can be only one Red Cross organization in any particular country.

 Universality. All Red Cross societies are equal; none is more important than the other.

Although the Red Cross was created to meet the needs of injured soldiers, this organization does not deal solely with conflict‐related events. Dunant himself thought that anyone in need of medical assistance should be given care, regardless of the cause. In fact, from its founding, the Red Cross has been involved in disaster relief activities (Neal 1992/1993; Popkin 1978; Deacon 1918).

As the Red Cross was being established abroad, Clara Barton (a nurse in the United States) was caring for the soldiers injured in the Civil War (Figure 2‐7). She heard about the International Red Cross movement and traveled to Europe to learn more about the fledgling organization. She returned home and in 1881 established the American Association of Red Cross Societies. The American Red Cross—as it is known today—serves Dunant’s and Barton’s dual aims.

Figure 2‐7 The Red Cross is present at almost any emergency or disaster, and it offers a variety of services to victims and survivors alike. Andrea Booher/FEMA.

Besides providing various services to the military (e.g., notifying deployed soldiers of a birth or death in the family), the American Red Cross was mandated by Congress to address citizen needs in time of disaster. The Red Cross has chapters and branches around the United States to prepare communities for disasters and give assistance after disasters strike. Their services, which are provided by both a small cadre of employees and a large number of volunteers, can be broken down into six areas:

1 Disaster health services. Provide first aid, fill prescriptions, and collect and distribute blood for those in need.

2 Mental health services. Support the emotional needs of disaster victims through counseling sessions and foster psychological recovery.

3 Disaster welfare inquiry. Receive calls from loved ones who are worried about their loved ones, take steps to contact such individuals, and relay information back to the concerned family members.

4 Family services. Determine and meet the immediate and long‐term needs of people including clothing, furniture, temporary housing, and even tools for work.

5 Mass care. Feed and establish shelters for emergency workers and the public.

6 Other services. Facilitate and support damage assessment, communications, volunteer management, logistics, interagency liaison, and public affairs.

For these reasons, the American Red Cross is an important part of emergency management in this country.