The relationship between the American Red Cross and the federal government is unique. We are an independent entity that is organized and exists as a nonprofit, tax-exempt, charitable institution pursuant to a charter granted to us by the United States Congress.

The Red Cross

The Red Cross helps military members, veterans and their families prepare for, cope with, and respond to the challenges of military service. Emergency communications, training, support to wounded warriors and veterans, and access to community resources help an average of 150,000 military families and veterans annually.

Apart from monetary donations from the government, the Red Cross does not get funded by it. Instead, the American Red Cross’ budget comes mostly from donations that companies, organizations, universities, and individuals make, and cost-recovery fees can be charged for some services.

The American Red Cross is a national non-profit that may offer free hotel room vouchers during an emergency. The Salvation Army may also provide motel rooms or other short term lodging during a disaster, such as flood, fire, or hurricane.

After a disaster, the Red Cross works with community partners to provide hot meals, snacks and water served as shelters or from Red Cross emergency response vehicles in affected neighborhoods. Emergency supplies help people in the immediate aftermath of a disaster and in the days and weeks that follow.

The Red Cross, born of a desire to bring assistance without discrimination to the wounded on the battlefield, endeavors—in its international and national capacity—to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found. Its purpose is to protect life and health and to ensure respect for the human being.

The American Red Cross’ main functions fall into four areas: blood collection, disaster relief, aid to soldiers and victims of war, and community education and outreach.

When a disaster is declared, the Federal government, led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), responds at the request of, and in support of, States, Tribes, Territories, and Insular Areas and local jurisdictions impacted by a disaster.

How to Respond to a Disaster

1. Analyze the Incident. Your very first responsibility after a disaster is to gather as many facts about the incident as possible.
2. Gather Evidence. Failing to preserve evidence is a surefire way to sabotage your own response plan.
3. Go into Crisis Management Mode.
4. Communicate Efficiently.
5. Evaluate the Process.

The three major organizations that help people to prepare for disasters, to help when the disaster is taking place and after it took place are the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, and Salvation Army. The American Red Cross can offer shelter, food, water, and many other services.

A note on this page’s publication date

Organization	Funds raised (millions USD)	Transparency on disaster relief activities
American Red Cross	479	Slightly above average
Americares	16.2	Slightly above average
CARE	45	Average
Catholic Relief Services	196	Average

How You Can Help With Disaster Relief

1. Give money, not things. You may be hoarding extra clothes and supplies, but donate your money, rather than your items, to relief organizations.
2. Raise money. Another way to help disaster victims is to join the fundraising effort.
3. Volunteer, even if you’re far away.
4. Keep helping.

Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent evaluator of charities, gives Direct Relief a 4-Star rating and a top ranking on its list of the “Best Charities Everyone’s Heard Of.”

Donate only needed items. The immediate need at a disaster relief site may be water, diapers, food and socks but later during the rebuilding phase items needed may be completely different like bleach, gloves, and paper towels.

Relief kits and goods

Item	Necessary relief item
Food	White rice, bottled water, ramen, beverages, bread, instant rice, seaweed
Household goods	various detergents, scrubbers, rubber gloves, gas stove, butane gas, towels,toothbrush/toothpaste, daily necessity sets, razors, sanitary items, etc

For additional assistance call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1- or email [email protected]

Through the extraordinary support of the American public, the Red Cross raised $522.7 million to help Harvey survivors. Now, a year later, the Red Cross has already spent or made commitments to spend 77 percent of these funds on emergency relief and recovery assistance – or approximately $403.1 million.

Trained Red Cross mental health workers were on hand in shelters to provide vital emotional support to help people cope with Harvey’s aftermath. In addition, volunteer health workers provided first aid, monitored the well-being of shelter residents, and helped replace lost prescription medications or eyeglasses.

In addition to the more than $230 million in immediate financial assistance provided during our emergency response, the Red Cross provided additional cash assistance of more than $117 million to more than 46,000 severely impacted households as part of our recovery efforts.

February 8, 2018: The third disaster aid package included $89.3 billion in emergency funding for areas hit by natural disasters, including Harvey. This includes $23.5 billion for FEMA and $28 billion for HUD to rebuild housing and infrastructure. Senator Cornyn voted for this bill.

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A few reasons. Upper-level winds in the atmosphere usually steer big hurricanes and keep them moving after they make landfall. With Harvey, those steering winds broke down, and a high pressure system to the northwest kept Harvey locked in place. That’s why Harvey is such a catastrophic rainfall disaster.

U.S. government takes step toward releasing $4.3B in Harvey relief funds. Texas Inc.