COM 0157.000 2006-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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American Red Cross Hawaii State Chapter Disaster Services - Hawaii County Program Description: When disasters or emergencies strike, individuals and families often have no one else to turn to. The Red Cross disaster services program is designed to meet the immediate emergency needs of all persons affected by a disaster. The Red Cross defines a disaster as a natural or manmade event that causes human suffering or creates human needs that the victims cannot alleviate without assistance in addressing their basic emergency needs. The American Red Cross provides support for families in both single family and major disaster events. Volunteers meet with families following a disaster to provide immediate emergency aid and essential services. This immediate emergency needs assistance may include food, clothing, shelter and other services to aid the family in rebuilding their lives. In a larger disaster or tragic event, crisis counseling, sheltering, mass feeding, disaster welfare information, emergency first aid and other support services as appropriate would also be provided to victims. These services would be offered to anyone whose loved ones were directly affected by the event. Crisis counseling services may also be extended to the community for secondary victims. The Disaster Services Program is administered by Red Cross disaster staff who utilize trained disaster volunteers to respond to disaster emergencies throughout our state. Both staff and volunteers are also used to disseminate preparedness materials and speak to community groups on the need to be prepared. The American Red Cross is the only organization mandated by Congress to respond to disasters and provide emergency communication to military families, and the only local nonprofit organization that meets the needs of disaster victims any time of the day, 365 days a year. Because we are an island community and considering the time it takes for assistance from other neighbor islands and the mainland, having the response capacity on island immediately after a disaster is essential. The need for effective disaster response, preparedness and training was clearly demonstrated during the heavy rains of 2006 throughout the state of Hawaii. Since 1917, the Hawaii State Chapter of the American Red Cross has provided food, shelter, clothing and crisis counseling to the people of Hawaii, to help victims get back on their feet after a tragedy. People throughout the islands depend on the Red Cross to be prepared for and respond to everyday disasters and major disasters like Hurricane Katrina. NONPROFIT GRANT APPLICATION FISCAL YEAR 2007-08 Page 2