Disaster Relief Fund
Every eight minutes, a disaster strikes in the United States, destroying or limiting access to life’s necessities and often leaving families with little more than the clothes on their backs. Thanks to the past financial stability of the Disaster Relief Fund, the Red Cross has always been there to provide emergency relief. However, on September 17, the Red Cross announced that the Disaster Relief Fund was empty because of a decrease in financial support and an increase in “silent” disasters.
The cost of responding to a busy tornado season, wildfires, hurricanes, and daily house fires has outpaced incoming donations, which has caused the balance of the Disaster Relief Fund to dwindle. From July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2003, the organization spent $114.3 million while taking in only $39.5 million.
Disaster Relief Fund Information:
Every day, the American Red Cross provides help to disaster victims in local communities throughout the country – some are disasters that receive extensive media attention, others receive only a passing mention in the local paper
The Disaster Relief Fund, so essential to ensuring our prompt consistent service, is at a dangerous 11-year low today, putting it at one of its most critical levels in Red Cross’ 122-year history.
We’ve spent more to assist people during disasters this year than what has been received in funding, and we’re relying on the public to help us help others in this critical time. Over the past year, the Red Cross has spent $144.3 million from the Disaster Relief Fund responding to 3,300 disasters throughout the United States and its territories. Donations, however, totaled just $39.5 million
The Disaster Relief Fund is not a “reserve” fund. It is the money that the Red Cross uses to send experienced disaster workers and critical supplies (such as food, drinking water, plastic sheeting, and cleaning supplies) to the disaster site. It is this fund that allows the Red Cross to begin its disaster response immediately
The American Red Cross receives no government funding for its disaster relief services in the United States.
The American Red Cross role in disaster relief is unique. Unlike FEMA, it does not wait for a disaster declaration to begin providing services. Unlike other voluntary agencies, it does not pick and choose the disasters it will respond to. The American Red Cross is committed to meeting the urgent disaster-caused needs of victims of all types of disasters – from single-family house fires to major natural and man-made disasters.
If you would like more information about how the Red Cross uses disaster donations, please call the American Red Cross of the Quad Cities Area at (309) 743-2166