Principles of American Red Cross Disaster Response Amy Mintz American Red Cross Washington, DC Dec. 8, 2010 Challenges faced in the midst of a disaster response Lessons learned from how the situation was managed Organizational priorities for improving response effectiveness Methods for successful collaboration among different organizations across the government and private sectors.

The American Red Cross Mission Statement The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, will provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.

ARC Overview Congressional Charter 1905 Specifies Nationwide System Of Disaster Relief Independent from government Independently Funded Volunteer Board Of Governors ~600 Branches 35,000 Employees, 1 Million Volunteers Charter means we don’t get to pick which disasters we respond to

Each Year in the United States, the American Red Cross Responds to an Average of: 75,000 Emergencies Single Family Fires to Hurricane Katrina Between 200 and 300 Major Disasters

When Disasters Occur What We Do: Feeding, sheltering Distribution of emergency supplies One-on-one casework/assistance Health services Mental health services Family connectedness Community recovery Blood and blood products

When Disasters are not Occurring - Readiness / Preparedness Capacity building and risk planning Community based preparedness Pre-positioned supplies, shelters Volunteer recruitment & training Disaster Plans & Drills Planning & engaging key partners Community outreach & mobilization 5

2005: Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma A new kind of challenge 3.5 million affected by all 3 storms 1.4 million families displaced 400,000 homes destroyed 90,000 square miles affected

An International Effort The Red Cross received over 200 international response experts Logistics Relief Media We received assistance from National Societies, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, and the International Committee of the Red Cross $115 million in cash contributions from 70+ countries

Initial Strategic Issues Scope Brought Unique Challenges Receiving end vs donor end Capacity to handle outpouring of international offers Offers outside our scope of assistance Relationships Mandated roles don’t define limits of expectations Common Standards and Process Key Area I: Executing a plan of action to improve Red Cross business and operational capabilities. Key Area II: Implementing vigorous internal controls to protect the organization against fraud, waste and abuse while providing improved accountability. Key Area III: Creating a renewed and refreshed focus on serving communities and building partnerships.

5 Steps to Improve international support Risk / Needs based planning Working with Government & Non-Government partners to prepare ahead to avoid barriers to relief Coordination planning on cross boarder / regional cooperation and coordination Process for accepting Staff – VISAs, qualifications Process for accepting goods (customs, regulations) Procedures in place, plans in place & test often Client Assistance System (CAS) software/hardware enhancements 1,000,000 families within 10-day period and 2,000,000 over a longer term Increased stockpiling of supplies (food, cots, blankets, comfort kits, etc.) to serve 1,000,000 meals and shelter 500,000 people per day Tripling of warehouse space to over 1,000,000 square feet Pre-positioning of communications equipment in 21 cities Hiring of 6 disaster relief operation directors for major relief operations Improvements to Human Resources (DSHR) system to track personnel in real-time Creation of a “Disaster Welfare Information” system