Principles of American Red Principles of American Red Cross Disaster ResponseCross Disaster Response

Amy MintzAmerican Red Cross

Washington, DC Dec. 8, 2010

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The American Red CrossThe American Red Cross Mission StatementMission Statement

The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, will provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.

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Congressional Charter 1905 Specifies Nationwide System Of Disaster Relief

Independent from government Independently Funded Volunteer Board Of Governors ~600 Branches 35,000 Employees, 1 Million Volunteers

ARC OverviewARC Overview

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75,000 Emergencies

Single Family Fires to Hurricane Katrina

Between 200 and 300 Major Disasters

Each Year in the United Each Year in the United States, the American Red States, the American Red

Cross Responds to an Cross Responds to an Average of:Average of:

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What We Do: Feeding, sheltering Distribution of emergency

supplies One-on-one

casework/assistance Health services Mental health services Family connectedness Community recovery Blood and blood products

When Disasters OccurWhen Disasters Occur

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When Disasters are not Occurring -When Disasters are not Occurring -Readiness / PreparednessReadiness / Preparedness

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Capacity building and risk planning Community based preparedness Pre-positioned supplies, shelters Volunteer recruitment & training Disaster Plans & Drills Planning & engaging key partners Community outreach & mobilization

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2005: Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, 2005: Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilmaand Wilma

A new kind of challenge

• 3.5 million affected by all 3 storms• 1.4 million families displaced• 400,000 homes destroyed• 90,000 square miles affected

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An International EffortAn International Effort The Red Cross received over 200 international response

experts Logistics Relief Media

We received assistance from National Societies, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, and the International Committee of the Red Cross

$115 million in cash contributions from 70+ countries

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Initial Strategic IssuesInitial Strategic Issues

Scope Brought Unique Challenges• Receiving end vs donor end• Capacity to handle outpouring of

international offers• Offers outside our scope of assistance• Relationships

• Mandated roles don’t define limits of expectations

• Common Standards and Process

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5 Steps to Improve international 5 Steps to Improve international supportsupport

1. Risk / Needs based planning

2. Working with Government & Non-Government partners to prepare ahead to avoid barriers to relief

3. Coordination planning on cross boarder / regional cooperation and coordination

4. Process for accepting Staff – VISAs, qualifications

5. Process for accepting goods (customs, regulations)

Procedures in place, plans in place & test often