Answers General Answers: What is the role of the Red Cross in times of conflict?
• As the United States prepares for possible war with Iraq, the American Red Cross plays a number of roles, beginning with helping local residents become better prepared to deal with unforeseen emergencies. • Another major role of the Red Cross during military activity is providing an emergency communication link for members of the military and their families. The primary mission of the Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Service (AFES) is to relay emergency messages between service members and their families in times of family crisis, such as a death or serious illness at home. • As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the American Red Cross supports the provision of humanitarian relief to war victims during an armed conflict. • This support includes offering assistance to civilians affected by the conflict, trying to reunite families that have been separated, and sending Red Cross messages on behalf of prisoners of war and displaced civilians. Assistance is pro
