There’s a lot more to the Red Cross than you might expect, particularly in the midst of a global pandemic. The vast international organization, now more than 150 years old, reaches 192 countries around the world — and the work they do abroad and at home helps restore lives ravaged by war, fire, flood, disaster, and yes, COVID-19.
The American Red Cross dates back to 1881, and to the nurse Clara Barton. Barton was inspired by the original Red Cross movement that was formalized in Switzerland in 1863 — founded by Henry Dunant, who won the first Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to protect war victims. Now, a network of independent Red Cross (as it’s called in predominantly Christian nations) and Red Crescent (as it’s called in predominantly Muslim nations) societies help civilians during both peace and conflict, providing essentials like food, shelter, money, and first aid, while also promoting hygiene and offering vital training.
For World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day — held each May 8 on Dunant’s birthday — it’s worth taking a moment to appreciate the breadth and scale of this massive international humanitarian organization.
They help detect COVID-19
In Somaliland, a Red Crescent team that had trained to deal with disease outbreaks through community-based surveillance methods detected the first case of COVID-19 in the country. The organization took steps to share information, isolate the case, and alert the community.
They deliver food
In addition to providing all sorts of aid, Red Crescent volunteers in Syria distribute food door to door, despite the ongoing war and threat of food insecurity among more than 9 million people.
They teach people how to wash their hands properly
In disaster-prone Bangladesh, which also has a large refugee population, Red Cross volunteers go home to home to teach more than 372,000 people lifesaving hand-washing skills amidst the coronavirus outbreak.
They plant and dig
As part of disaster mitigation efforts around the globe, the Red Cross has planted mangrove and casuarina trees to mitigate the effects of storm surges in Indonesia. They have also dug drainage ditches in Haiti to prevent flooding.
They support military families
In the US, supporting military families is a key aspect of the Red Cross’s work — whether it’s delivering emergency communication to soldiers who are deployed, helping soldiers reintegrate back into society after deployment, or even just providing service dogs to boost morale for troops stationed abroad.
They help families recover from fire
In the months since pandemic has broken out in the US, American Red Cross workers have helped more than 53,000 people recover from more than 13,000 home fires nationwide.
They install free smoke alarms
In the US, the Red Cross teams up with volunteers and local fire departments to install free smoke alarms in at-risk communities all across the country. Last year, more than 100,000 smoke alarms were installed during these “Sound the Alarm” events, and they raised more than $15 million.
They train babysitters
Yes, babysitters! The American Red Cross is the leading provider of babysitting classes and child care training in the US.
They send text alerts
To date, the American Red Cross has sent 1.6 billion alerts from its 12 apps to warn users of impending threats and disasters, like floods and hurricanes, so people have a chance to get their families to safety.
They provide almost half of the nation’s blood supply
American Red Cross blood drives provide 40% of the blood used in the US. For every one donation, up to three lives are saved. Amid the coronavirus pandemic, the American Red Cross is actively seeking convalescent plasma to help treat patients with COVID-19 infections.
