The importance of being self reliant during an emergency should be obvious to every mature person.
Hikingware.com reminds you that in time of disaster your first line of help should be your own resources. This means having sufficient emergency food storage to last at least several weeks, as well as has having basic necessities such as a source of light and heat, some emergency camping gear, and a compact medical kit for injuries, accidents, and illness.
Some people believe that they don't need to prepare for emergencies; that they will be taken care of by the Red Cross or some government agency. This is a dangerous assumption. Even a great organization like the American Red Cross cannot be on the scene immediately.
And in case you are unaware of what the Red Cross does do, here is a brief history:
Just days after the first local chapter of the American Red Cross was established in Dansville, NY on August 22, 1881, the American Red Cross jumped into its first disaster relief operation when they responded to devastation caused by major forest fires in Michigan.
The American Red Cross continued to aid victims of fires, floods, and hurricanes over the next several years; however, their role grew during the 1889 Johnstown flood when the American Red Cross set up large shelters to temporarily house those dislocated by the disaster. Sheltering and feeding continue to this day to be the largest responsibilities of the Red Cross immediately following a disaster.
On June 6, 1900, the American Red Cross was given a congressional charter that mandated the organization to fulfill the provisions of the Geneva Convention, by rendering aid to those wounded during war, providing communication between family members and members of the U.S. military, and administering relief to those affected by disasters during peacetime. The charter also protects the Red Cross emblem (a red cross on a white background) for use only by the Red Cross.
On January 5, 1905, the American Red Cross received a slightly revised congressional charter, under which the organization still operates today. Though the American Red Cross has been given this mandate by Congress, it is not a federally funded organization; it is a non-profit, charitable organization that receives its funding from public donations.
After World War II, the American Red Cross established a civilian blood collection service in 1948, has continued to offer aid to victims of disasters and wars, added classes for CPR, and in 1990 added a Holocaust & War Victims Tracing and Information Center.
Americans should indeed be proud of what the American Red Cross has done in the past to help victims of disaster, but controversy and rumors of mismanagement of funds haunt the organization.
"The Red Cross, due to its size, has had issues with efficiency in the past," said Ken Berger, president and CEO of Charity Navigator, which evaluates non-profit organizations.
After the attack on the World Trade Center, the Red Cross confronted public outrage when the media learned of plans to divert donations to the Red Cross Liberty Disaster Fund for other purposes, forcing the Red Cross to backtrack. During the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina the Red Cross was blamed for poor coordination of relief efforts.
Local Red Cross chapters have been victims of embezzlement. And ten years ago the Red Cross had to turn to Congress for a $100 million infusion after its emergency response fund was depleted.
Today, of every dollar donated, the American Red Cross says 91 cents goes toward aid, while nine cents covers the cost of running the non-profit, including salaries, administration, and fundraising.
Should you turn to the Red Cross for help during an emergency? Of course, if they are offering help in your vicinity. But remember, they, and other such organizations, my not be able to get into your area, depending on the nature and extent of the emergency.
Your first line of defense against disaster and emergency should always be your own food supplies and emergency kits.
Ben Franklin, in his famous Poor RIchard's Almanac, wisely said: "We depend on others at our peril if we cannot depend on ourselves."
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