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Mission 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 Movement, will provide relief to victims of disaster and help
people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.
Fundamental Principles of the International Red
Cross and Red Crescent Movement
Humanity
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, born of a
desire to bring assistance without discrimination to the wounded on
the battlefield endeavours, in its international and national
capacity, to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may
be found. Its purpose is to protect life and health and to ensure
respect for the human being. It promotes mutual understanding,
friendship, cooperation and lasting peace among all peoples.
Impartiality
It makes no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious
beliefs, class or political opinions. It endeavours to relieve the
suffering of individuals, being guided solely by their needs, and to
give priority to the most urgent cases of distress.
Neutrality
In order to continue to enjoy the confidence of all, the
Movement may not take sides in hostilities or engage at any time 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 not prompted in any manner by
desire for gain.
Unity
There can be only one Red Cross or one Red Crescent Society in
any one country. It must be open to all. It must carry on its
humanitarian work throughout its territory.
Universality
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, in which
all Societies have equal status and share equal responsibilities and
duties in helping each other, is worldwide.
History of the American
Red Cross
Since its founding in 1881 by visionary leader Clara Barton, the
American Red Cross has been the nation's premier emergency
response organization. As part of a worldwide movement that
offers neutral humanitarian care to the victims of war, the
American Red Cross distinguished itself by also aiding victims
of devastating natural disasters. Over the years, the
organization has expanded its services, always with the aim of
preventing and relieving suffering.
Today, in addition to domestic disaster
relief, the American Red Cross offers compassionate services in
five other areas: community services that help the needy;
support and comfort for military members and their families; the
collection, processing and distribution of lifesaving blood and
blood products; educational programs that promote health and
safety; and international relief and development programs.
The American Red Cross is where people
mobilize to help their neighbors—across the street, across the
country, and across the world—in emergencies. Each year, in
communities large and small, victims of some 70,000 disasters
turn to neighbors familiar and new--the nearly one million
volunteers and 35,000 employees of the Red Cross. Through over
800 locally supported chapters, more than 15 million people gain
the skills they need to prepare for and respond to emergencies
in their homes, communities and world.
Some four million people give blood—the gift
of life—through the Red Cross, making it the largest supplier of
blood and blood products in the United States. And the Red Cross
helps thousands of U.S. service members separated from their
families by military duty stay connected. As part of the
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, a global
network of 181 national societies, the Red Cross helps restore
hope and dignity to the world's most vulnerable people.
An average of 91 cents of every dollar the
Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and
programs. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on
donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.
The American National Red Cross is
headquartered in Washington, D.C. John F. "Jack" McGuire is
Interim President and CEO, and Bonnie McElveen-Hunter is
Chairman of the American Red Cross.
The American Red Cross Charter - PDF
Bylaws of the American National Red Cross - PDF |
