|
International Services
Why You Should Care
 Sometimes the world seems hopeless. A hurricane or flood may hit a region
already torn by armed conflict. Political unrest may block relief efforts
after a natural disaster. The land is devastated. Food grows scarce.
Children are torn away from their parents.
What You Can Do
The American Red Cross sends hope and help in such international crises.
Acting globally, the American Red Cross touches lives locally.
We relieve suffering, rebuild self-sufficiency and restore family ties. We
trace lost relatives, provide health care, bring in food assistance, ensure
that water supplies are made safe, and help people recover their ability to
care for themselves.
What most Americans enjoy every day — food, shelter, being with their
family, the prospects for earning a living — the Red Cross restores to
devastated populations.
Humanity Begins at Home
 Services provided by the American Red Cross worldwide have a strong impact
on American communities. Many people in this country have origins in other
countries and keep close ties to friends and family in often-distant places.
When a crisis occurs in another country, they turn to the Red Cross not only
for information about their loved ones but also to contribute time and
money.
Red Cross youth enjoy acting to help solve global problems. They know a
bike-a-thon in Boston can alter a life in Bangladesh, that their school's
campaign to aid landmine victims can save lives in a country ridden with
mines.
Red Cross donors in the U.S. are touched by the plight of the vulnerable —
women, children, the elderly — and give generously. Our donors recognize a
unique attribute of the Red Cross — that the Red Cross truly has a global
reach, with counterparts in almost all countries of the world helping their
communities build self-sufficiency. Further, donors feel assured knowing
that Red Cross humanitarian contributions never leave Red Cross hands from
one country to another.
What Does the American Red Cross Stand For?
The American Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross Movement. More
than 250 million paid and volunteer staff are involved in Red Cross programs
in virtually every country in the world. Here in Santa Barbara more than
1,100 volunteers help locally.
The Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross:
-
Humanity: Our purpose is to prevent and alleviate
suffering, protect life and health and ensure respect for human
beings.
-
Impartiality: We do not discriminate as to
nationality, race, religion, class or political opinions.
-
Neutrality: We do not take sides in hostilities or
political, racial, religious or ideological controversies.
-
Independence: We must always maintain our autonomy.
-
Voluntary Service: We are not prompted by a desire
for gain.
-
Unity: There is only one Red Cross or one Red
Crescent society in any one country.
-
Universality: The movement is worldwide.
The American Red Cross Is People Helping People in more ways than you can
imagine…
-
Emergency food to 200,000 Bosnian families
-
Food to elderly Bulgarians in the wake of economic
collapse
-
Construction of new homes for earthquake victims in
Armenia
-
Livestock and seeds for Mexican farm families in
remote villages
-
Construction of safe water supply systems in Rwanda
and the Congo
-
Support for primary health care programs in
Bangladesh
-
Aid to flood victims in Vietnam
-
And much more…
Humanitarian Law: Key to a Safer World
Many people have heard of the Geneva Conventions — the international
agreements that define fundamental rights during armed conflict for
civilians and combatants removed from the fight by injury, illness or
capture. But too few of us understand their importance, especially as the
U.S. Armed Forces participate in complex international emergencies.
|
