Red Cross Disaster Relief - Essay Example

Red Cross disaster relief Introduction History of Red Cross Red Cross is a voluntary organization that serves to offer relief help to individuals or casualties of catastrophic event. Apparently, the origin of the Red Cross movement can be traced back to the early nineteenth century. On the same note, the movement was founded by Henry Dunant who was born in Geneva, Switzerland. In addition to that, it is worth noting that in the United States of America, the adoption of the treaty of the Red Cross movement was a struggle that was championed by Clara Barton. Notably, in 1959, the war in Solferino located north of Italy, recorded numerous casualties leading to Henry calling for relief aid in a bid to cater for the casualties of the war. However, in 1863, the international committee of the Red Cross was officially launched in Geneva, Switzerland and it was mandated with the task of protecting the lives of injured people in war while at the same time offering relief services for instance healthcare service and provision of food to the survivors of the war. On the other hand the organization also served as a communication channel between soldiers and their families. Evidently, this was achieved in the United States of America following the development of the office correspondence with friends of the missing men in the United States army in the year 1865, following the order of the president, Lincoln to Clara who was seen as an advocator of the idea. However, in the tear 1881, the movement was mandated with its first assignment which was to provide relief assistance to victims of the Michigan forest fire. Apparently, one of the most basic assistance was first to ensure people are secure from the fire while at the same time providing healthcare services to individuals that were injured as a result of the fire. Later, they were to locate and reunite lost families and consequently, provide temporary shelter for the survivors. Notably, in the same year, the Red Cross movement adopted its first charter which basically postulated the role of the organization. Secondly, the charter also documents the objectives and goals of the movement. Lastly, the charter also championed the ideology of protection of war related casualties regardless of their social or racial affiliation. On the same note, Clara vehemently supported and fought for the adoption of the charter and incorporation of it words into the law in the United States of America. Eventually, she was able to achieve this goal of which she played a very instrumental role in the promotion of the movement’s deeds in the country. Evidently, the twentieth century was marked by a number of big events that served to make the history of the USA and subsequently the history of Red Cross movement. Development of Red Cross in the 20th century First and foremost, in 1900, a huge hurricane stuck Galveston, Texas. Apparently, this is one of the last aid operations carried out by the Clara Barton. However, this century was also marked by the adoption of new administrators of the voluntary organization, on the same point, in 1901, elections were held and Mabel Boardman was elected to an administrative post in the Red Cross committee. In fact, this marked the beginning of a new era in the management of the voluntary organization; Red Cross. However, in 1905, the movement received a new charter which documents the roles to be played by the organization and its objectives. It is worth noting that, only a few modifications were made on the previous charter. Evidently, since this period, Red Cross has played a significant role in the dealing catastrophic events. In addition that, Red Cross has also participated in the making of policies meant to avert repletion of similar catastrophes for instance by promoting research and study in a bid to curb spread of diseases such as AIDS. It is noting that, in the subsequent years the tactics employed by the organization have drastically changed. On that note, in 1912, Red Cross approved the adoption of the rural nursing program which was mandated with the task of boosting healthcare in the nation. In spite, the numerous strides towards achievements of the goals of the organization, a major set-back was posed. Apparently, the movement lost one of its main inspirational people. On the same point, it is during this year that Clara Barton passed on leaving a life-long legacy to uphold. On the contrary, the author of this article had a sense of contentment in his/her tone. Apparently, this is seen by the manner in which Clara is portrayed in his work of literature. Moreover, Clara is portrayed as a compassionate and caring character and attributes these traits to her self-less acts. Evidently, the writer only focuses on the positive aspects of Barton’s life as opposed to the negative ones. Apparently, this shows that the writer somehow admires this self-less character and draws inspiration from them. Furthermore, the writer also uses a variety of styles of literature in a bid to achieve her goal which is to pass on the important message of the relevance of Red Cross to our world as a whole. On the same note, through reading this work of art we are able to appreciate the contribution of Red Cross and consequently, appreciate them through adoption of relevant strategies to better the lives of casualties of war. In summation, this article had no specific intended audience and therefore can be read by anybody. Sandy hurricane response of the Red Cross On the contrary, one of the examples of the major event in the history of Red Cross was the recovery of survivors of the sandy hurricane. Apparently, an estimated 110 million dollars were channeled towards aiding the victims of the natural calamity. Notably, the sandy hurricane was one of the biggest natural disaster to ever been experienced in the nation. On the same note, with the help of other non- profit organizations, Red Cross was able to adequately respond with aid to the victims. Moreover, these organizations were able to ensure the provision of adequate food and other basic requirements for instance healthcare among the injured survivors. Not only did the non-profit organizations help in the response, so as the donations collected from willing citizens of the United States of America. It is worth noting, an estimated 220 million dollars were raised through donations to aid in helping the victims of the sandy storm. On the contrary, the author of this article tries to emphasize on the role played by the Red Cross in provision of supplies and consequently, in the helping of victims of natural calamities recover and subsequently, return to their normal life. On the same point, through using the sandy storm catastrophe as reference, the writer gives us an insight into the huge contribution of the Red Cross. Evidently, the tone of the author in this particular article is happy. Apparently, this is seen from the fact that he dwells mostly, on the fact that the Red Cross has effectively managed to curb while at the same time averting future repletion of the same happening. However, this particular article has no specific audience since the main theme affects the community as a whole. A decisive insight into the Haiti case Although, the Red Cross majorly focuses on the immediate response strategies pertaining to natural catastrophes, it also strives to help victims of such events continues with their lives as normal. On the same point, this is seen in the reflection of the Haiti incident response. Apparently, the Canadian Red Cross still helps the crippled nation to come back to its feet following the fatal incident that rapidly brought down the economy. In addition to that, it has been recorded that an approximate of 212 million dollars has been received from the Canadian Red Cross society. Furthermore, this money is intended to help in boosting the economy of this nation following the destructive aftermath of the tsunami. Apart from that, Red Cross had a ten year development plan with the aim of rebuilding the economy of the country. In simple terms, the author of this article has highlighted that not only does the Red Cross deal with immediate responses, it also follows up with a development plan intended to reconstruct the country. For instance, in this article the writer lays reference to the fact that even after the tsunami, Red Cross has continued to fund development projects in Haiti aimed at boosting the nation to its former glory. In conclusion, it is evident that the Red Cross society has played a huge role in the development of the nation responding to crises. To this end, it is critical to study its history in a bid to appreciate its contribution to the world as whole References 660News. (n.d.). 660News. Retrieved February 8, 2014, from http://www.660news.com/2014/01/12/red-cross-reflects-on-haiti-disaster-response/ Red Cross Recovery Efforts to Help Sandy Survivors. (n.d.). Red Cross Recovery Efforts to Help Sandy Survivors. Retrieved February 6, 2014, from http://www.redcross.org/news/article/Red-Cross-Recovery-Efforts-to-Help-Sandy-Survivors  The Barnstable Patriot. (n.d.). The Barnstable Patriot. Retrieved February 8, 2014, from http://www.barnstablepatriot.com/home2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=35312&Itemid=30  significant dates in history. (n.d.). Red Cross Recovery Efforts to Help Sandy Survivors. Retrieved February 7, 2014, from http://www.redcross.org/about-us/history/significant-dates-in-historyhttp://www.redcross.org/about-us/history/significant-dates-in-history Read More