An international humanitarian organization, the American Red Cross (ARC), was founded by Clara Barton in 1881 with the objective of supporting the less fortunate all around the world (Forsythe, 2018). Members of the military and their families have received aid from the American Red Cross since its founding in the mid-nineteenth century. Disaster relief activities have been carried out across North America and throughout the globe since the formation of this organization. In order to achieve its overall purpose, the ARC clearly highlighted medical aid, water security, and general health nursing as part of its overall mission statement and undertakings to boost communities that have been affected by disasters or calamities (American Red Cross, 2020). Individuals who have been affected by natural disasters in the United States, military officers, their families, and people who desire to further their professions in other countries are just a few of the key areas of support given by the American Red Cross.
The organizing of CPR and AED preparation, CNA preparation, looking after children, giving care preparation, and immediate health coaching and responses are among the things which are essential components of the ARC’s activities. The ARC also aids in the provision of financial assistance. Further, the American Red Cross (ARC) collects around 40 percent of the country’s projected blood supply, with up to 80 percent of the overall volume collected coming through different sorts of donation events (Harris, 2018). Likewise, disaster assistance programs such as those in the wake of earthquakes, wildfires, droughts, and health-related pestilences are encouraged, as is catastrophe planning and ensuring that children get the immunizations they need to be healthy and productive.
Mission and Vision Statement
When a crisis strikes, the American Red Cross’s mission is to prevent and relieve human suffering to the greatest extent feasible. It relies on volunteers and contributions in return for monetary help in order to accomplish its goals. Their declared goal is to provide assistance to individuals who are enduring hardships, as seen by the vast number of volunteers, gifts, and colleagues who have joined together to provide a hand to those in need. The ARC is committed to providing assistance to every disaster victim in the form of care and refuge (American Red Cross, 2020). It ensures that its branches and associations are prepared and ready to respond in an emergency. It ensures that everyone in the United States has access to safe, lifesaving blood products and all members of the military and their families receive support and comfort when they are out of luck. In an emergency, prepared individuals are generally close by and prepared to use their ARC abilities to save lives if they are required to do so (American Red Cross, 2020).
The following are the fundamental benefits of the Global Red Cross Network that guide all of its activities: humanity, justice, the lack of prejudice, autonomy, voluntarism, solidarity, and inclusivity. As a means of alleviating human suffering and promoting peace, fraternity, and understanding among all people groups, ARC’s ultimate purpose is to show incredible attention to those who have been harmed, whether or not they have done anything wrong. Affirmative action is a non-discriminatory organization that does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, or religious affiliation. The International Red Cross maintains its nonpartisanship while engaging in any conflict (Lewenson, 2018). In order to retain its neutrality, the Global Red Cross Network must be able to function as an independent organization that is not dependent on the support or assistance of any particular government. As a result, the Global Red Cross Network is entirely comprised of volunteers, ensuring that they do not seek to profit in any manner from their charitable endeavors. Due to the restricted resources and capacities available to one Red Cross organization operating on a worldwide scale, the notions of solidarity and comprehensiveness are inexorably intertwined.
Equal Opportunity and Improvement of Quality of Life
Those who work with the American Red Cross include representatives, volunteers, and service providers from a diverse range of backgrounds. Diversity has appeal for them in terms of its many aspects, such as the unique chance to engage with local and international organizations to give administrations that are specifically adapted to meet the requirements of the networks they serve (Barrios, 2017). The Supplier Diversity Program (SDP) is looking for women, minorities, veterans and business providers who can reflect the networks that it serves to upgrade the association and the networks that it serves. The financial stability of the organization is enhanced as a result of this initiative, and the organization benefits from having a more comprehensive variety of possibilities for acquiring goods and services at more reasonable pricing.
People’s general sense of wellbeing and happiness are among the most significant aims of the ARC, which is one of the organization’s most essential goals. During a natural catastrophe, they give support in the form of food, clothing, urgent clinical treatment, and shelter (Hutchinson, 2018). The aid is supplied forever and without interruption, even after a calamity has happened. The major emphasis of their work is on individuals and networks who are seeking support in recovering from the negative effects of disasters and returning to their prior way of life. Everyone who is affected may obtain these services, regardless of race or country, and they are offered at no cost.
Impact of Funding Sources, Policy, and Legislation
In addition to having a special relationship with the national government as a result of its internationally recognized mandate, the American Red Cross is qualified to carry out all of the tasks. Since it is a nonprofit and charity organization, it is supported by the government in tax exemption and provision of relevant resources for the efficiency of its operations.
One of their roles is to comply with the requirements of the Geneva Conventions while also facilitating family contact and offering support to fighters and their families. Other responsibilities include the maintenance of a local and international disaster assistance system in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). However, regardless of the fact that the ARC has a strong working relationship with the central government, it is categorically not an administrative organization and does not receive bureaucratic subsidizing; rather, they rely on public commitments and awards, in addition to recovering charges for administrations such as blood and wellbeing, security instructional courses, and other security-related services (Lewenson, 2018).
Impact on the Health and Safety of the Community
Disasters occur in a broad range of settings across the United States of America, and the Red Cross reacts to them as quickly as possible. Beyond dealing with the cleaning and restoration of victims, they also guarantee that each victim receives personalized attention when it comes to food, housing, clothes, and medical support. Instead of responding, they use a proactive strategy, such as the utilization of drives, for instance, “Make a distress call to the public. Make an effort to save a life.” The nonprofit organization also gives home fire safety inspections and aid with smoke alarm installation. CPR training, medical help, and swimming lessons are all provided as part of the overall local area security preparedness program.
Conclusion
Whenever a crisis strikes, the American Red Cross is ready to aid in a number of ways and under a variety of circumstances. Thousands of people give their time and resources to this nonprofit organization because they care about the networks that they serve, and they would be unable to accomplish their goals without the help of many others. In addition to being responsible for giving support when required, the ARC has the obligation of training a larger number of people to offer aid when needed. It has been and will continue to be a top goal for our organization to have an impact on the local and worldwide networks.
References
American Red Cross. (2020) Nursing & Health. Retrieved from www.redcross.org/about-us/whoweare/nursinghealth.html#:~:text=The%20American%20Red%20Cross%20relies,hospitals%2C%20and%20collect%20lifesaving%20blood.
Barrios, J. (2017, Fall). Embracing diversity, equity and inclusion at the Red Cross in LA. Retrieved March 30, 2021, from http://redcrosslatalks.org/2018/04/26/embracing-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-at-the-red-cross-in-la/
Forsythe, D. P. (2018). The international red cross: Decentralization and its effects. Hum. Rts. Q., 40, 61.
Harris, M. (2018). Power in the Blood: Local Lifesaving Partnerships Between Churches and the American Red Cross. Journal of Christian Nursing, 35, 120-123. https://doi.org/10.1097/CNJ.0000000000000476
Hutchinson, J. F. (2018). Champions of charity: war and the rise of the Red Cross. Routledge.
Lewenson, S. B. (2018). Making the World Safe: The American Red Cross and a Nation’s Humanitarian Awakening.
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