High Desert Chapter

Disasters can strike 24 hours a day - 365 days a year.

No one wants bad things to happen - but they still do. Are you prepared for events your family may face? These Preparedness “Tear Sheets” provide excellent information about how to make sure you’re ready, and what to do if those you love are affected.

All Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people.
If you need immediate assistance, call the High Desert Chapter at (760) 245-6511

Disaster and Emergency Services
Each year, the American Red Cross responds immediately to more than 67,000 disasters, including house or apartment fires (the majority of disaster responses), hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hazardous materials spills, transportation accidents, explosions, and other natural and man-made disasters.

Although the American Red Cross is not a government agency, its authority to provide disaster relief was formalized when, in 1905, the Red Cross was chartered by Congress to "carry on a system of national and international relief in time of peace and apply the same in mitigating the sufferings caused by pestilence, famine, fire, floods, and other great national calamities, and to devise and carry on measures for preventing the same." the Charter is not only a grant of power, but also an imposition of duties and obligations to the nation, to disaster victims, and to the people who generously support its work with their donations.

Red Cross disaster relief focuses on meetings people's immediate emergency disaster-caused needs. When a disaster threatens or strikes, the Red Cross provides shelter, food, clothing, and if needed, health and mental health services to address basic human needs.

The Red Cross also feeds emergency workers, handles inquires from concerned family members outside the disaster area, and helps those affected by disaster to access other available resources.

Mission
The American Red Cross Disaster Services mission is to ensure disaster planning, preparedness, community disaster education, mitigation, and response that will provide the American people with quality services in a uniform, consistent, and responsive manner.

The American Red Cross responds to disasters such as hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, fires, and/or other situations that cause human suffering or create human needs that those affected cannot alleviate without assistance. It is an independent, humanitarian, voluntary organization, not a government agency.

Planning
Long before a disaster strikes, the Red Cross plans what it will do. A disaster response plan identifies what it will take to respond to various disasters, what resources are needed, and how they will be coordinated and used. As part of the planning process, the High Desert Chapter practices by participating in local disaster drills and exercises. Such planning enables our Chapter to respond efficiently and effectively.

High Desert Red Cross Services to People Affected by Disaster
The Red Cross works in partnership with people affected by disaster to help them return to living independently as quickly as possible.

·         Sheltering and Feeding
The Red Cross opens shelters or may provide temporary lodging for those evacuated or displaced by a disaster and provides meals and snacks to families and to emergency workers in impacted areas.

·         Individual and Family Assistance
Trained Red Cross interviewers meet one-on-one with individuals and families to determine their disaster-caused needs and how the Red Cross can help. The Red Cross also lets people know about other available community or government resources.

·         Disaster Health Services and Disaster Mental Health Services
When a disaster strikes, the Red Cross assists in meeting the physical and emotional health needs associated with the disaster.
High Desert residents can place disaster welfare inquires about relatives living in areas impacted by natural or man-made disasters, war or civil unrest, either in the United Sates or another country. Please call (760) 245-6511 in you are in need of assistance or more information.