The American Red Cross is required by Congressional charter to undertake
disaster relief activities to ease the suffering caused by a disaster. Emergency
assistance includes fixed/mobile feeding stations, shelter, cleaning supplies,
comfort kits, first aid, blood and blood products, food, clothing, emergency
transportation, rent, home repairs, household items, and medical supplies.
Additional assistance for long-term recovery may be provided when other relief
assistance and/or personal resources are not adequate to meet disaster-caused
needs. The American Red Cross provides referrals to the government and other
agencies providing disaster assistance.
The Christian Disaster Response (CDR) worked in cooperation with the
American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, Church World Service Disaster
Response, and NOVAD to enable local church members to become effective
volunteers for assignment on national disasters. CDR provides disaster
assessments, fixed/mobile feeding facilities, and in-kind disaster relief supplies.
CDR also coordinates and stockpiles the collection of donated goods through
their regional centers throughout the U.S.
The National Emergency Response Team (NERT) meets the basic human needs
of shelter, food, and clothing during times of crisis and disaster. NERT provides
Emergency Mobile Trailer units (EMTUs), which are self-contained, modest
living units for up to 8-10 people, to places where disaster occurs. When
EMTUs are not in use, they serve as mobile teaching units used in Emergency
Preparedness programs in communities.
The Second Harvest National Network of Food Banks collects, transports,
warehouses, and distributes donated food and grocery products for other
agencies involved in both feeding operations and the distribution of relief
supplies through its national network of food banks. Second Harvest also
processes food products collected in food drives by communities wishing to
help another disaster-affected community. Second Harvest develops, certifies,
and supports their food banks; serves as a liaison between the food banks and
the donors; and educates the public about the problems and solutions of hunger.
The Volunteers of America is involved in initial response services aimed at
meeting the critical needs of disaster victims, such as making trucks available
for transporting victims and supplies to designated shelters. It also collects and
distributes donated goods and provides mental health care for survivors of
disaster.
