The Voluntary Effort in Disaster Relief

Abstract

The disaster relief service of the American National Red Cross is seventy-five years old. During this period it has engaged in over 6,700 disaster relief operations, all financed by voluntary contributions. The principles gov erning the work of the Red Cross in these operations are explained, and a de scription is given of the national, regional, and local structure and functions of the organization, which has about 3,700 local chapters; these have first responsi bility for emergency action but can count on the help and guidance of profes sionally trained personnel from the national organization.—Ed.