How is American Red Cross Disaster Services involved in international relief operations?
The response to international disasters is coordinated through the American Red Cross International Services Department. Depending on the size and scope of the disaster and the capabilities of the affected Red Cross national society, it may request help through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. In many cases, the affected Red Cross society is seeking personnel with a special expertise, such as a logistics or mass feeding background. Following Hurricane Mitch in the fall of 1998, American Red Cross Disaster Services, in conjunction with International Services, formed the International Response Team for the Caribbean Basin and Central America to help the affected national societies with planning and preparedness prior to a major disaster and with rapid needs assessment following a disaster.
