Each year, the American Red Cross Heartland Chapter responds immediately to more than 200 local disasters, primarily house or apartment fires. We’re also ready to respond should other disasters occur, such as spring flooding in the Heartland, tornadoes, hazardous materials spills, transportation accidents, explosions or other natural or man-made disasters. 

We Can Help

Although the American Red Cross is not a government agency, its authority to provide disaster relief was formalized in 1905, when 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. The Red Cross takes this duty seriously, throughout the country, as well as right here in Omaha and the surrounding areas.

Red Cross disaster relief focuses on meeting people's immediate emergency disaster-caused needs. When a disaster threatens or strikes, the Red Cross provides shelter, food, and health and mental health services to address basic human needs. In addition to these services, the core of Red Cross disaster relief is the emotional and financial assistance given to individuals and families affected by disaster to enable them to resume their normal daily activities independently.

The Red Cross also handles inquiries from concerned family members outside the disaster area, provides blood and blood products to disaster victims, and helps those affected by disaster to access other available resources.

Partners in Disaster Response

© Copyright 2005 The American Red Cross. All Rights Reserved.