The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors. These are our stories.
On April 15, 2013, just before 3 p.m., two explosions occurred near the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Those two explosions killed three people and injured 282. Law enforcement officials stopped the marathon and directed runners off the course. It was an unprecedented response to an act of terror on a day that brings so many people together in Boston.
Over the next five days Red Cross staff and volunteers would provide care and comfort to runners, law enforcement officials, and citizens trying to cope with a terrorist event in their hometown.
The Red Cross Disaster Operation Center (DOC) opened shortly after the bombing at what was our Cambridge, Kendall Square location. The DOC was the hub for Red Cross operations for the next 26 days. More than 300 staff and volunteers carried out the Red Cross mission in Boston, Cambridge, Watertown and other surrounding communities; coordinating the movement of 26 Red Cross vehicles around the metro area.
Immediately following the bombing, the Red Cross began connecting runners and their families who had no communication with each other. As runners were directed off the marathon course, most cellular phone service in Boston was still offline as a precaution. Red Cross Safe and Well registration services were provided not only to runners, but also to spectators along the marathon course.
Disaster Mental Health (DMH) services proved to be one of the most in-need services throughout the Red Cross response. In all, 67 [IK1] Disaster Mental Health professionals volunteered with the Red Cross during the response. They worked in family assistance centers, various reception centers in the metro area, and attended numerous memorials and vigils that took place across Boston. Some of their work was done on the streets. Wearing Red Cross disaster vests, DMH volunteers would walk into gatherings of people offering support and words of encouragement to people trying to understand what was happening across Boston. They made more than 3,600 mental health contacts with people in need.
When a lockdown of the City of Watertown was put in place so that law enforcement officials could apprehend the bombing suspect, the Red Cross opened a resource center at the local mall. This allowed citizens somewhere to go when they were not able to make it to their residence.
The Red Cross launched a public awareness campaign in partnership with the MBTA. Information for people struggling with and coping with the situation of the past week was posted on buses, and in subway and train stations. The information urged people struggling to reach out to Red Cross disaster mental health volunteers.
In total, the Red Cross supported the citizens of Boston and surrounding communities with nearly 50,000 meals and snacks during the bombing response.
Bringing comfort and caring to people in need is the mission of the Red Cross. Supporting Team Red Cross and our more than 60 runners in the 2023 Boston Marathon helps us meet our mission of being there for people in their hour of greatest need.
Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood, in fact it’s a critical, irreplaceable part of our nation’s healthcare infrastructure. Whether it’s a mother giving birth, a child fighting cancer, a neighbor suffering after a tragic accident or a friend with a rare blood disease, the availability of the right type of blood — when and where it’s needed — can mean the difference between life and death.
Not everyone has a common blood type. In the U.S., about 1,000 people have rare blood types that require blood from a donor with the exact same rare type to avoid sometimes deadly transfusion complications. Blood types are inherited, so in addition to those who have inherited their rare blood type from their parents, people who have been exposed to blood through transfusions or pregnancies can form antibodies, resulting in less commonly compatible blood.
The Red Cross is dedicated to ensuring everyone — especially vulnerable people with the rarest blood types — receives lifesaving blood. To help meet these very specific demands, the Red Cross manages the American Rare Donor Program on behalf of blood banks nationwide.
The American Red Cross helps meet the constant demand for blood by providing about 40% of the nation’s blood supply — more than any other blood bank in the U.S. — serving as an essential partner to thousands of hospitals and cancer treatment centers across the country. From blood donor to recipient, we shepherd each unit on its careful journey:
Collecting blood at our more than 500 daily blood drives,
Conducting at least 10 tests on each unit to ensure the safest blood possible,
Delivering 6.4 million blood products on demand to patients annually.
July 1, 2021
Donor and Client Support Center, Charlotte, North Carolina
Sickle cell fighter and Umoja member Pam Brandon donates blood to support sickle cell warriors.
The Umoja African-American Resource Group is one of seven resource groups used to connect American Red Cross employees and volunteers.
Photo by American Red Cross
Please note: This photo was taken prior to the re-instatement of our mask mandate.
The Red Cross provides in-depth testing, typing and matching of blood products for people with sickle cell disease. To better serve people with sickle cell disease—a disease that disproportionately affects Black Americans—we’re proud to announce a new campaign to cultivate a larger pool of Black donors, as these donors are more likely than other demographic groups to have blood best suited to alleviate the painful symptoms of sickle cell disease in most patients. Having a larger pool of Black donors will result in better blood matches and increase the number of people with sickle cell disease we can serve. We’ll support this campaign by leveraging Black partnerships and by sharing targeted messages in authentic and relevant ways.
The Red Cross is dedicated to ensuring everyone — especially vulnerable people with the rarest blood types — receives lifesaving blood. To help meet these very specific demands, the Red Cross manages the American Rare Donor Program on behalf of blood banks nationwide.
Through this vital program, the American Red Cross tracks those with rare blood types to enable lifesaving matches with people in need. The program’s trained staff works around the clock, vigilantly:
Managing a database of more than 75,000 active blood donors with rare blood types,
Tracking and maintaining regular communication with rare donor registrants,
Performing specialized testing and matching for rare blood types and
Fulfilling lifesaving requests for rare blood.
The American Rare Donor Program fulfills requests from hospitals and blood banks, ultimately providing about 3,000 units of rare blood to recipients across the country and, in some cases, around the globe each year.
The American Rare Donor Program is also part of the International Society of Blood Transfusion’s International Rare Donor Panel, which lists the availability of extremely rare blood types — for which some, only a few donors are known in the world. With FDA approval, the program has imported and exported blood internationally to help patients in need.
Today, this program has successfully met 95% of rare blood requests. We must continue this essential work on behalf of blood banks, hospitals and patients nationwide, as even one person — someone’s parent, child, sibling or friend — without the blood they need is too much.
HOME HEATING SAFETY Heating fires are the second leading cause of home fires. Moreover, the Red Cross sees a spike in home fire responses when temperatures drop.
Keep all potential sources of fuel like paper, clothing, bedding or rugs at least three feet away from space heaters, stoves, or fireplaces.
Portable heaters and fireplaces should never be left unattended. Turn off space heaters and make sure any embers in the fireplace are extinguished before going to bed or leaving home.
If you must use a space heater, place it on a level, hard and nonflammable surface (such as ceramic tile floor), not on rugs or carpets or near bedding or drapes. Keep children and pets away from space heaters.
Never use a cooking range or oven to heat your home.
Keep fire in your fireplace by using a glass or metal fire screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs.
It is critical that households have working smoke alarms and that families practice their fire escape plan.
Make sure coats, gloves or mittens, hats, boots and warm clothing are available for all household members, along with extra blankets.
Eat regular meals and stay hydrated, but avoid caffeinated or alcoholic beverages.
Eat regularly. Food provides the body with energy for producing its own heat.
Check on relatives, neighbors, and friends, particularly if they are elderly or if they live alone.
Keep the gas tank full. A full tank will keep the fuel line from freezing.
ACT FAST IF YOU SEE SIGNS OF FROSTBITE OR HYPOTHERMIA
Frostbite is when a part of your body freezes. Your nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, and toes often are the first affected. People may experience pain, numbness, and a change of skin color.
What to do for frostbite: Move to a warm place. Warm the affected area gently by soaking in warm water (NOT hot) until the skin appears normal and feels warm. Seek emergency medical care.
Hypothermia can kill you. It occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce heat. This causes a dangerously low body temperature. Older adults, babies, children, and people with certain health conditions are more at risk. Shivering is one of the first signs of hypothermia; other signs include confusion, drowsiness, and slurred speech.
What to do for hypothermia: Seek emergency medical care right away. Move to a warm place. Remove any wet clothing and warm the body slowly.
HOW TO PREVENT FROZEN PIPES
Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.
If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55° F.
Red Cross of Massachusetts marks Black History Month
MEDFORD, Mass. (Feb. 1) — During Black History Month, the American Red Cross honors the significant achievements of Black Americans and the vital role blood donations from individuals who are Black play in meeting the transfusion needs of patients and those with sickle cell disease. Donors are urged to book a time to give blood or platelets this month to prevent a shortage in the weeks ahead.
With the theme “Black Excellence Is In Our Blood,” the Red Cross also commemorates the vibrant legacies of history makers whose contributions continue to advance our communities and lifesaving mission:
Dr. Charles R. Drew, a surgeon and pioneer of modern blood banking, was named the first medical director of the Red Cross National Blood Collection Program in 1941. His work with the Red Cross helped save the lives of hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians during World War II and his efforts to increase the blood supply led to the use of bloodmobiles and other collection, preservation and distribution processes still used today.
Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, an educator and civil rights leader, helped usher in a sustained presence of Black Americans in the mission of the Red Cross. She hosted blood drives and encouraged African American women to staff canteens. During World War II, Dr. Bethune served as director of the Florida Chapter of the Red Cross. She advocated for employment opportunities, disaster relief and diverse representation on Red Cross regional and national boards.
Dr. Jerome Holland, educator and former U.S. ambassador to Sweden, continued the legacies of Dr. Drew and Dr. Bethune when he was appointed as the first African American chairman of the Red Cross Board of Governors in 1979. Dr. Holland championed excellence in blood services through innovative technology, which resulted in increased blood donations and research of hereditary diseases.
Gwen T. Jackson began her Red Cross career in 1961 as a volunteer in the Service to Military Families Department of the Greater Milwaukee Chapter of the American Red Cross. By 1988 she had risen to one of the highest volunteer positions in the organization – National Chair of Volunteers. Her leadership accomplishments during her four years in the national-level position were nothing shy of extraordinary. While serving as the National Chair of Volunteers, Mrs. Jackson coined the phrase, “Paid staff get a paycheck and volunteer staff get a payback.” She was honored for her 50 years of volunteer leadership with the establishment of the Gwen T. Jackson Leadership Endowment.
Steve Bullock, former CEO of the Greater Cleveland Chapter of the Red Cross, served as our Acting President in 1999. He enjoyed a distinguished career with the Red Cross. He was named chief executive officer and chapter manager of the Greater Cleveland Chapter in 1982. Prior to assuming this position, he worked for the Red Cross in military installations in the United States, Europe, and Southeast Asia. Mr. Bullock also previously served as executive director of the agency’s St. Paul, MN chapter. In 1988, Steve Bullock was named chairman of the president’s advisory committee, a group of senior Red Cross field executives who counsel top management on issues facing the organization. Another highlight of his career occurred in 1995 when Mr. Bullock was appointed to head the 1996 national American Red Cross campaign. Mr. Bullock received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and Sociology at Virginia Union University and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration at the College of St. Thomas. He has also done graduate work in urban administration; attended the American Red Cross Executive Development Institute; and is a graduate of Leadership Cleveland.
Commemorate Black History Month by rolling up a sleeve to give blood or platelets. Use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org/OurBlood or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to schedule an appointment today. All who come to give blood, platelets or plasma Feb. 1-28, will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email, thanks to Amazon. Join the Red Cross in elevating Black Excellence during Black History Month: Discover and support Black-owned businesses on Amazon! Plus, those who come to donate will also be automatically entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Clearwater Beach, Florida, including a three-night hotel stay, round-trip airfare, a $750 gift card and more.*
To help keep blood on the shelves this winter, donors are encouraged to make an appointment to give at the following blood drives, or find additional blood donation opportunities on our website:
February 5, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Waymark Seventh Day Adventist Church, 1048 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester
February 14, 12 to 5 p.m.
Westgate Mall, 200 Westgate Drive, Brockton (located in the former store next to Olympia Sports)
February 16, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Randolph InterGenerational Center, 128 Pleasant St, Randolph
February 21, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
#ThroughThePain at the Residence Inn, 2001 Washington Street, Roxbury
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
by Sharon E. Curry, American Red Cross of Massachusetts
Sharon Curry speaks with CBS Boston reporter Kate Merrill in April of 2021. View CBS Boston’s story here.
At a past time in my life, I needed help to provide for my three sons. I was told about the American Red Cross Boston Food Pantry, and how they helped families in need of assistance. With tears in my eyes, I visited the Food Pantry, telling them my story of how I didn’t have any food for my family during the holidays. I was so overwhelmed with all the support that they gave to me. I cried all the way home (happy tears!) knowing that someone cared to help put food on my table for the holidays.
I said to myself ‘I have to help the American Red Cross because they made a way for me and my family.’ I joined the Food Pantry as a volunteer for many years nonstop until I was hired to work and help service the families in need of food assistance.
What keeps me going?
I have many purposes in life that I found over the years of working at the American Red Cross Boston Food Pantry. As I help families with their needs, I still see myself in every last one of them – mothers, grandmothers, fathers, aunts, sister, brothers, and children. If I can help one person, like American Red Cross helps millions, my purpose is fulfilled.
My perspective on the work I do comes from my mother, as I grew up in a family of nine. She has always told me her stories of her life and how she had to provide for her family. She explained that times were very hard for her, but she never gave up. The will is to make a difference in the world.
(Boston, MA 11/21/20) Mayor Martin Walsh takes a quick picture with Sharon Curry as they hand out turkey and the fixings at the American Red Cross Boston Food Pantry. (Mayor’s Office Photo by John Wilcox)
I would like people of all colors to know that it does not matter who you are – it’s what you are that matters. Who is really there to help make life’s journeys a little bit easier? The American Red Cross has done just that for me and others, and they continue to do that for families around the world.
My message is this to volunteers, employees, and donors:
Frist: Find your purpose in life. Second: Give what you have with an open heart. Third: Don’t ever give up believing in yourself. It will give you a chance in life as the American Red Cross did for me.
Thanks – Sharon E. Curry
Sharon Curry speaks to a group of volunteers during a Thanksgiving distribution in November of 2018.
by Kelly Isenor, MA Region Director of Communications
On November 28, 1942, a fire broke out at one of Boston’s most popular nightclubs, called Cocoanut Grove. This was the Saturday after the first Thanksgiving since the U.S. had entered World War II and the club was packed. Red Cross reports at the time suggested more than 1,000 people were inside – more than double the club’s official capacity. Flammable materials had been used in the club’s interior decorations, flammable methyl chloride gas had replaced Freon in the club’s air conditioners (due to a war shortage) and multiple exits had been locked or barricaded to prevent guests from sneaking in or out without paying. The official Boston Fire Department report estimates it took only 2-4 minutes for the flames to travel across 40 feet of the club’s Melody Lounge to the only public stairway, and minutes more until the entire building was in flames. Though some staff were able to break windows or find other egress, the revolving door at the front of the club was the only exit known to most patrons. 492 people died either in the fire or later from injuries sustained. 80 years later, the Cocoanut Grove tragedy remains the deadliest nightclub fire in U.S. history.
Red Cross response – Disaster
The first fire alarm sounded at 10:42 p.m. Within minutes, the Boston Red Cross chapter was notified. The chair of what was then called the Disaster Relief and Preparedness Committee called the fire department to see what was needed. In addition to sending all the chapters ambulances and emergency response vehicles, the Boston chapter of the Red Cross had marshalled more than 1,000 volunteers within 25 minutes, including many from neighboring chapters as far away as Haverhill and New Bedford.
39 ambulances driven by volunteers from the Red Cross Boston Motor Corps formed a line to take the injured to hospitals and the dead to morgues. Taxi drivers – most of whom had been previously trained in First Aid by the Red Cross – rushed patients to nearby hospitals.
A Red Cross canteen that had already been set up at the nearby Boston Opera House moved to the fire scene to provide hot coffee, water and food to first responders on scene in the sub-zero conditions. Additional canteens were set up at hospitals and morgues to support family members seeking word of loved ones.
In the days and weeks to follow, the Motor Corps would also transport Red Cross disaster responders, equipment and supplies to scenes and canteens, and drove relief workers to the homes of survivors, victims and their families for casework.
The Boston Metropolitan Chapter House was staffed 24/7 for weeks after the fire to handle the response, in addition to regular activities. Within 24 hours of the fire, all affected families were contacted by Red Cross volunteer disaster responders offering condolence care and other assistance. In many cases, the Red Cross covered rent, food and incidental costs for family members who could not afford to support the care of their loved ones, as well as supplemental funeral assistance.
Red Cross response – Hospitals
Although a total of 14 Boston hospitals received fire victims, the majority of the patients went to Mass General and to Boston City Hospital (the present-day Boston Medical Center). Contemporary reports estimate one patient arrived at Boston City Hospital every 11 seconds.
Using teletype messages, the Red Cross assigned volunteer nurse’s aides to impacted hospitals, while the Red Cross Nursing Service began recruiting additional nurses to relieve those on duty. During the first week of the response alone, 223 nurses volunteered for duty. Some of the most seriously injured patients required the care of six nurses per day. When it became apparent that long-term nursing care was needed, the Red Cross provided a total of 558 paid nurses at a cost of $15,000 (the equivalent of about $418,000 today)
Additional blood plasma came by plane to supplement the plasma stored locally by the American Red Cross. Volunteers from the Motor Corps delivered those products to hospitals in the days and weeks that followed. More blood plasma was used to treat the Cocoanut Grove fire victims than had been used to treat victims of the Pearl Harbor attacks one year earlier, according to the Archives of Internal Medicine.
Red Cross response – personal anecdotes
Joseph (no last name provided, only the initial L) was a woodwind musician employed by Cocoanut Grove. He was severely injured in the fire and also lost his overcoat, tuxedo, and musical instruments, which he relied on for income to support his two young sons. Once his doctors cleared him to resume playing, the Red Cross was able to provide a clarinet, saxophone, new tuxedo and warm winter coat so he could resume earning a living.
Bill had to put his college education on hold while he recovered from injuries suffered in the Cocoanut Grove fire. While he was in the hospital, his father lost his job and the family fell into difficult financial circumstances. The Red Cross connected Bill’s family with a wealthy benefactress who was looking to start a scholarship in memory of her nephew who had perished in the fire. Bill was the first recipient and went on to study medicine.
Martin Sheridan was a newspaper man who was also working public relations for the cowboy actor Buck Jones. Jones was on a national tour selling war bonds and Sheridan was hired to prepare his Boston itinerary. Sheridan and his wife Connie were inside when the flames started. They were overcome by smoke and toxic fumes. Connie Sheridan perished in the fire. Martin was rescued but spent two months in treatment at Mass General. After his release, he dedicated his life to giving blood enough times to match the blood products he received during his treatment. He also became a war correspondent for the Boston Globe and was reporting from a transport ship years later when he met the sailor who pulled him from the burning building.
Legacy – Preparedness
Accounts written in the initial aftermath of the fire credit Boston’s hospitals with being unusually well-prepared for the influx of patients because of strong emergency preparedness plans in place against wartime attacks on the East Coast. Only one week earlier, the city of Boston had carried out a drill simulating a bomb strike with 300 mock casualties. Volunteers who had been trained in first aid and CPR were able to respond to the scene immediately. Emergency preparedness remains a key pillar of the work of the modern Red Cross. In addition to teachinglifesavingskills, the Red Cross maintains a disaster-specific Emergency Resource Library on redcross.org
Legacy – Fire Safety
In the year following the Cocoanut Grove fire, building codes were revamped around the country. According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), notable advances in fire safety as a result of the Cocoanut Grove fire include a requirement that revolving doors are flanked by outward opening doors with a panic bar, combustible materials may not be used as interior decorations in places of public assembly and emergency lighting and sprinklers must be installed.
Anytime there is a winter storm, you need to ensure you are ready for the possibility of losing power.
But there are things you can do today to be prepared for bad weather.
Follow the tips below to help prepare you and your family in the event that your area loses electricity. And download the Red Cross Emergency App for more helpful tips. The app can be found in the Apple App Store and Google Play.
September 15 to October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month and the American Red Cross is celebrating by recognizing the many Hispanic employees, volunteers and donors who give their talent, time and treasure to the Red Cross humanitarian mission.
Initially observed as a week beginning in 1968 and later expanded in 1988 to a 30-day event, National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. The Red Cross witnesses these contributions every day in communities across the country, as Hispanics provide comfort to disaster victims, teach lifesaving classes, support military members and their families, and donate blood to someone in need.
The Red Cross is proud to be a part of the rich Spanish heritage and tradition in the United States and even more proud of the extraordinary people who mirror the diverse community we proudly serve.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
In honor of World Humanitarian Day on August 19, we caught up with five American Red Crossers to learn more about their service, what motivates them during challenging times and to find their ‘why.’ We found that these five people, just like Red Crossers all around the globe, are focused on the mission of helping others and bringing heart into what they do.
Leah Sesse
Growing up in Louisiana, Leah Seese was no stranger to disasters and the impact they can have on people. “I also saw the impact that humanitarian assistance can make and believe that if you have the power or ability to do something or help someone — then you also have the responsibility to do so,” she said.
A Red Crosser for seven years Leah works in International Services and focuses on the international response and recovery programs. Given the scale of the Ukraine crisis, she’s been fully dedicated to that response since it began in February. Previously, she worked as a program associate supporting Haiti and the Latin America and Caribbean region. She said the needs around the globe are complex but the Red Cross is dedicated to helping those who need it most.
“I always knew I would devote my career and spend most of my time helping others. I want my work to matter, to mean something or make a difference,” she said.
Bernie Nazari
“This work matters because we are here to help people who need it most. I love being a part of a group of dedicated humanitarians,” said Los Angeles volunteer leader Bernie Nazari.
Nazari, who has worked for the Red Cross for 26 years, recently participated in highly-specialized training for emergency responders. This training, which replicated field experiences during an international deployment, focused on setting up satellite terminals during disasters.
“I’ve done a lot of things at the Red Cross and each day is different. Working with this team is exciting because we are self-sustained,” he said. “We go into an event, we can take care of ourselves and help people, quickly. People recognize and trust the Red Cross. We have the capability. People are having the hardest time of their lives and we are there to help them.”
Dave Dunn
“There is so much need all around us and as a citizen of the world, as a part of humanity, I need to do something if I can,” said International Crisis Responder Dave Dunn. “I am honored to be a part of a movement that helps people in times of need.”
In April of 2022, Dave served as an International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) delegate onboard the ship Ocean Viking on rescue patrols in the Mediterranean Sea. While onboard, he engaged in four rescue patrols, saving 297 people, many of whom were unaccompanied minors. He says that all of the survivors were rescued from flimsy rafts that were leaking and were suffering from dehydration and exposure.
A Red Crosser for more than two decades, Dave was a New Yorker living in the city in September 2001. He became a volunteer immediately after 9/11 and was assigned to work in the Respite Centers at Ground Zero. He later served as director of staffing and partner groups at his local chapter and became an international delegate in 2007. He’s deployed as a relief delegate to the Philippines twice and to Nepal.
Dave says the Red Cross is innovative and dynamic in how it helps those in need. “The assignment I was on is a great example – providing humanitarian assistance in the middle of the ocean. We have all seen Red Cross facilities assisting in every context on land – now, we are also seeing the Red Cross partnering with others in filling the gap between two continents over water. That is the power of humanity in action,” he said.
Victor Nguala
Victor Nguala serves as a fleet coordinator in the Alabama Mississippi region. A native of Congo, he has spent a large portion of his career working in Africa. “Without the Red Cross, we could not have defeated Ebola,” said Nguala who deployed to West Africa following the outbreak of the disease. In this role, he served as a logistics delegate and information technology delegate.
As Ebola spread across Congo, Liberia and Sierra Leone global Red Cross teams sprang into action. Red Cross staff and volunteers worked to ensure residents were informed about the risks of the disease, to conduct safe and dignified burials and help to improve water and sanitation systems. The teams are supported by hospitals and health facilities with infection prevention and control measures.
“The experience of the Red Cross was critical to fighting this disease,” he said. “We do our best to help our communities. We do our best to deliver help to those around the world. And that’s what’s important to me,” he said.
Gabriel Maggiore
“I volunteered with the Red Cross after the conflict in Ukraine began. I knew that the demands on the organization were going to be high and I wanted to help,” said 20-year-old Gabriel Maggiore.
“There’s a massive need, people need help. The Red Cross does the same thing all over the world, helping people. So that’s why I am here,” he said.
As a student studying international relations at American University in Washington, D.C. he hopes to make a positive impact in the world. “Everybody everywhere matters. The Red Cross is all about humanity and helping people.”
To people who want to get engaged as volunteers, Maggiore says you’re never too young to get involved. “If you’re young, volunteerism shapes your experience and helps you grow. Your enthusiasm helps others. It’s a win-win situation for everyone.
“I want to make a positive impact in the world,” he said.
The International Services Monthly Activity Update provides a brief snapshot of significant international disaster events that the American Red Cross is currently responding to. This update will also feature clips of stories, blog posts and photos published on redcross.org and affiliated sites about our ongoing international work. Information within this report is compiled from several sources including the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the U.S. Agency for International Development and involved Red Cross and Red Crescent national societies.
Afghanistan – Earthquake
A 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck a remote and mountainous region of southeastern Afghanistan early Wednesday, June 22. Preliminary media reports suggest that at least 1,000 people were killed and more than 1,400 others injured, although these numbers may increase. With the search and rescue phase of the relief effort over, emphasis has now shifted on tending to medical needs of those injured as well as the most urgent needs of the hundreds of thousands of survivors and people affected.
The Afghan Red Crescent (ARCS), with the support of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), has mobilized staff and volunteers to respond to the unfolding crisis and address the urgent needs on the ground.
Source: ARCS
The Afghan Red Crescent has more than 30,000 volunteers and a branch in each of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces, including Khost and Paktika — the two provinces most heavily impacted. Red Cross and Red Crescent teams are directing food and relief supplies to areas hardest hit by the quake. Trucks with relief items and ambulances have already been dispatched to the affected areas.
An emergency response team—comprised of humanitarian crews from the Danish Red Cross, Norwegian Red Cross, Qatar Red Crescent and Turkish Red Crescent—has left Kabul and is on its way to the affected areas. Additionally, IFRC-supported mobile health teams already in the country have been diverted to respond to the crisis. Medical supplies are being mobilized from Kabul and will be sent to help those in need.
“The people of Afghanistan have already been through so much. Today’s quake is another tragedy,” said Susan Malandrino of the American Red Cross. Conflict and disaster-induced displacement, the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic, serious drought, acute food shortages, a fractured health system, poor access to services, high unemployment, and the collapse of banking and financial institutions have converged on the people of Afghanistan.
“Before the quake struck, the country was already struggling with repeated crisis and more than half of the population was in need of humanitarian assistance,” Malandrino said.
The country’s drought crisis has fueled an economic crisis in a country where agriculture is critical for people’s livelihoods and the mainstay of the economy. More than 70% of the population lives in rural areas and around 80% of livelihoods depend on agriculture. Without food or income and facing increased uncertainty, tens of thousands of drought-affected families have left their homes, seeking food and shelter in relief camps. This internal displacement has dramatically compounded in recent months, with nearly 700,000 people internally displaced this year and in urgent need of assistance, of which some 80% are women and children.
Increased global support to deliver humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan is crucial. Based on preliminary information, the scale of humanitarian needs following the earthquake will be massive though the disaster is localized.
On June 22, 2022, IFRC released CHF 750,000 from its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support ARCS in needs assessments as well as mounting the immediate response to the earthquake. The IFRC is revising its Afghanistan Humanitarian Crises Emergency Appeal to increase funding requirements to CHF 90 million, with CHF 10 million for immediate and recovery needs linked to the earthquake. The American Red Cross is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with the global Red Cross network.
Bangladesh – Floods
Torrential rain and incessant downpours from upstream regions have resulted in the worst flooding in living memory in two north-eastern districts of Bangladesh: Sylhet and Sunamganj. The floods have also affected the neighboring districts of Netrokona, Habiganj and Moulivibazar. Flash floods have impacted more than 4.3 million people in less than a week and people are forced to leave their inundated or near-to-inundated houses and take refuge elsewhere as the water level in nearby rivers continues to rise. Millions more have been affected since flooding started in mid-June.
The government called out various military units to assist the civil administration in evacuating people, particularly in the hardest-hit Sylhet region. Communication with Sunamganj district was cut off for several days as floodwaters submerged power stations. Air, rail, and road communication between Sylhet and Sunamganj has been severely disrupted.
BDRCS volunteers reach a marooned community in Netrokona district with food deliveries. Source: BDRCS
The humanitarian situation is worsening in the flood-affected areas as relief efforts are facing continued torrential rain and flooding. In the affected areas, people are in dire need of shelter, food, clean water, latrines, and medical support. People are not able to get essential everyday items as local markets struggled to stay open. Many latrines and wells are submerged, leading to an acute water and sanitation crisis.
Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) teams have mobilized to provide urgent relief during this critical time. More than 300 volunteers are working in the two most affected districts. Teams are providing cooked food, dry food, drinking water, jerrycans, hygiene kits and first aid to those who need it. More than 7,000 people have received dry food packages and 1,000 families have received hygiene kits. Also, 75,000 liters of drinking water have been distributed.
The American Red Cross is coordinating with International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to support the BDRCS in providing emergency multipurpose cash grants, emergency shelter assistance, improved access to safe drinking water, hygiene promotion, emergency sanitation facilities and emergency health services.
Africa – Drought and Hunger Crisis
As of March 2022, over 14 million people were severely food insecure in the Horn of Africa, and malnutrition is affecting 5.5 million children. In addition to severe drought, southern and south-eastern Ethiopia has experienced three above-average rainy seasons, resulting in widespread floods causing displacement and a locust outbreak. This series of shocks have had a significant impact on local agriculture, rangelands, and water sources. Food prices have risen as stable food availability has fallen and, as a result, livelihoods are suffering.
Ethiopia
In Ethiopia, up to 6.5 million people are acutely food insecure in the Oromia, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’, Southwest and Somali regions, while 1.5 million livestock have died, destroying people’s livelihoods. At least 286,000 people in the Somali and Oromia regions have migrated in search of water, pasture, or assistance. Other people, often the elderly or sick, are often unable to travel. According to OCHA, the drought is causing severe water shortages and food insecurity, eroding children’s nutritional status, and exposing women and girls to gender-based violence due to displacement and having to travel further for water. Priority needs are food security, water, and health services.
The Ethiopia Red Cross Society is responding to the current hunger crisis across southern and south-eastern Ethiopia by providing cash support, shelter, health services, water and hygiene promotion.
IFRC has issued and Emergency Appeal for CHF 12.5 million over 2 years to support the Ethiopia Red Cross Society to meet the needs of 500,000 people affected by the hunger crisis. The appeal focuses on household level assistance (shelter and cash), health, water and food security. The American Red Cross has committed $260,000 to the IFRC Emergency Appeal to assist the Ethiopian Red Cross in providing cash assistance to meet the immediate needs of those affected by the crisis.
Kenya
Malnutrition and food insecurity rates remain critical in Kenya due to the large-scale, climate-induced humanitarian crisis that is unfolding in the Horn of Africa. IFRC estimates that 3.1 million people are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance in Kenya, with immediate funding needed to support communities affected by food insecurity. The main drivers of acute food insecurity in Kenya include the compounding effects of poor and erratic rainfall, flooding, desert locust infestation, the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19, and conflict.
In September of 2021, the Government of Kenya declared the ongoing drought to be a national emergency. There are currently mild to moderate drought conditions across the country, which will further contribute to crop losses and deterioration of pasture and livestock availability. This will likely lead to the selling of livestock and increased migration for pasture grazing, which in turn can increase resource-based tensions and conflict within and between communities. These effects are felt most acutely in the arid and semi-arid lands in the east and north of the country.
The Kenya Red Cross Society continues to scale up its lifesaving and early recovery activities in response to three priority areas: livelihoods and basic needs; water and sanitation; and health and nutrition.
IFRC has issued an Emergency Appeal for CHF 12.5 million over 24 months to meet the needs of 500,000 people. The appeal focuses on household level assistance (shelter, cash), health, water and sanitation, and food security. The American Red Cross has committed $615,000 to the IFRC Emergency Appeal to assist the Kenya Red Cross Society in providing cash assistance to meet the immediate needs of those affected by the crisis.
Nigeria
Millions of people across the northwest and north-central parts of Nigeria are projected to continue to suffer from food insecurity. Factors contributing to food insecurity include climate change and long-standing political and economic conflicts causing widespread settlement damage. Disrupted livelihoods and reduced market access have lessened the capacity of communities to meet their essential needs.
Over 280,000 people have been displaced in Nigeria’s northwest and north-central regions due to the degradation of security in recent years. The IFRC reports that in northwest Nigeria alone, an estimated 2.5 million people face acute food insecurity due to political, economic, and climate concerns. Climate change is of particular concern as a driver of conflict, as changes in weather patterns have shifted seasonal crop production in many areas.
The Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) has undertaken a detailed needs assessment in all targeted states and has found urgent need for food related interventions followed by livelihood and income generating relief activities. The NRCS has provided cash assistance through multi-purpose cash transfers, and has trained volunteers in protection, gender and inclusion as an integrated approach.
American Red Cross Response
IFRC has issued an Emergency Appeal for CHF 4.1 million over 18 months to support the Nigerian Red Cross Society to meet the needs of 200,000 people affected by the hunger crisis. The appeal focuses on providing urgent support for food, health and livelihoods and basic needs. The American Red Cross has committed $420,000 to the IFRC Emergency Appeal to assist the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) in providing cash assistance to meet the immediate needs of those affected by the crisis.
Somalia
In Somalia, many families have lost their animals as a result of the prolonged drought and failed rains. Over 4 million people are in urgent need of food assistance.
The Somali Red Crescent Society is scaling-up response activities in Somaliland and Puntland, areas most impacted by the current hunger crisis. This support includes household-level assistance (cash, livelihoods and food); water and sanitation; and health and nutrition.
Noria migrated here 6 months ago from a very dry area. “This area also started getting dry & l am losing more animals daily. I cannot move again because the animals remaining are too weak to walk,” she says. Her family is among the 4.1 million people in Somalia that need food assistance. Source: IFRC
IFRC has issued an Emergency Appeal for CHF 14 million over 2 years to support the Somali Red Crescent Society to meet the needs of 560,000 people affected by the hunger crisis. The appeal focuses on livelihoods and basic needs; water and sanitation; health and nutrition. The American Red Cross has committed $640,000 to the IFRC Emergency Appeal to assist the Somali Red Crescent in providing cash assistance to meet the immediate needs of those affected by the crisis.
South Africa – Floods
A national state of disaster was declared in April after three days of pounding rain caused one of the deadliest natural disasters in South Africa’s recent history. According to national authorities, at least 100,000 people were affected, and hundreds died. Rescue teams, including South Africa Red Cross Society volunteers, have been mobilized to the affected areas to search for the missing and bring others to safety.
The devastation in the most affected areas of KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape provinces has been immense: nearly 12,500 homes have been destroyed or damaged, with dozens of health centers and hundreds of schools affected. In addition, KwaZulu-Natal authorities indicate that businesses, roads, bridges as well as electricity and water infrastructure have been damaged or destroyed. Most casualties and destruction occurred in the most vulnerable and exposed peri-urban areas, where informal settlements flourish as people cannot afford adequate housing and had to resort to building their dwellings in high-risk areas.
The South African Red Cross Society (SARCS) is leading the flood response with more than 300 Red Cross workers deployed to provide assistance across affected communities. So far, SARCS has provided food, blankets and other household items, first aid and psychosocial support to thousands of people in evacuation centers. As damage assessments are completed, SARC is also implementing a cash assistance program.
To support the efforts of SARCS, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has launched an emergency appeal of 8 million Swiss francs, focusing on providing assistance to the most vulnerable. This includes providing assistance with relief items, food and cash grants as well as other services such as health and mental health assistance and water, sanitation and hygiene programs. The American Red Cross is coordinating with the global Red Cross Red Cross network to assist as requested.
A 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck a remote and mountainous region of southeastern Afghanistan early Wednesday. Preliminary media reports suggest that at least 1,000 people were killed and more than 600 others injured. These numbers are expected to increase as responders reach the hardest-hit areas and some people remain trapped in rubble.
The American Red Cross helps refugees in the United States and around the globe. Refugees are not just the recipients of humanitarian aid and comfort — they’re the providers of it, too. They are the first to step up, take action and help their communities get through tough times.
Armed conflict and climate change are threatening the continuity of a 3,000-year-old practice in Yemen. The country has long been renowned for producing some of the best honey in the world, but enormous losses have been inflicted on the industry since the outbreak of the conflict in 2011. Successive waves of displacement to flee violence, the impact of weapon contamination on production areas and the growing impact of climate change are pushing thousands of beekeepers into uncertainty, significantly reducing production.
A crisis is emerging in the shadow of conflict across Ukraine, one that extends beyond the country’s borders. Ukraine’s already stressed healthcare system is buckling under the weight of expectation and medical needs as people continue fleeing conflict areas seeking safety. The Red Cross is working around the clock to address needs far greater than what’s visible to the eye.
Before the conflict in Europe, nearly one-third East Africa’s cereal supply came from Russia and Ukraine. Conflict has upended global supply, leaving those in the Horn of Africa without a critical supplier of food. The disruption of wheat and fertilizer supplies is compounding an already devastating situation. Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya grow closer to a fourth season of drought – expected to be the worst in 40 years – and face a food insecurity disaster with their supplies dwindling and wheat and fertilizer prices increasing.
In his regular day-to-day role, Colin is a member of the International Services department, leading the Red Cross’ global COVID-19 response as well as international disasters in Africa. In this way, he works with Red Cross and Red Crescent partners within the movement to support emergencies such as earthquakes, droughts and health epidemics and pandemics, including COVID-19. He and his colleagues work to advocate for and leverage humanitarian assistance for disasters around the world.
To Learn More About Our Work at Home and Around the World:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
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