What Do Groups Like the Red Cross Do During Disasters?
What Do Groups Like the Red Cross Do During Disasters?
Organisations like the Red Cross, Red Crescent, and other humanitarian groups play a crucial role during disasters. These groups are trained to respond quickly when a natural disaster (like earthquakes or floods) or a man-made disaster (like war or chemical leaks) strikes. Their work saves lives, supports survivors, and helps communities recover.
1. Emergency Rescue and First Aid
As soon as a disaster occurs, trained Red Cross teams rush to the area to:
- Search for survivors
- Give first aid and medical care
- Rescue people from damaged buildings or flooded areas
Examples:
- Rescued people after the 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquake
- Provided care during Cyclone Mocha in Myanmar (2023)
2. Food, Water, and Shelter
They provide basic needs to people who have lost everything, such as:
- Clean drinking water
- Food supplies
- Blankets, clothes, and tents
Examples:
- Set up shelters for flood victims in Pakistan (2022)
- Delivered food during the Haiti earthquake (2021)
3. Medical Services and Disease Prevention
- Run temporary hospitals or clinics
- Provide vaccinations and medicines
- Teach hygiene to stop the spread of disease
Examples:
- Organised health camps during the Ukraine crisis (2022–24)
- Sent mobile clinics after the Nepal earthquake (2015)
4. Logistics and Relief Distribution
These groups move aid quickly using their global systems:
- Use trucks, boats, helicopters to reach remote areas
- Partner with local teams for fast distribution
Examples:
- Used boats in Mozambique floods (2019)
- Air-dropped food in South Sudan
5. Psychological Support and Reuniting Families
- Offer emotional counselling
- Reunite separated families using Red Cross tracing
Examples:
- Counselling centres in Syria and Gaza
- Reconnected families in Indonesia earthquakes
6. Long-Term Recovery and Training
- Rebuild homes, schools, and clinics
- Train locals in first aid, hygiene, and disaster prep
Examples:
- Helped rebuild after the Indonesia tsunami (2004)
- Prepared schoolchildren in Philippines and India
Other Major Humanitarian Groups
- Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) – medical help
- UNICEF – children’s protection and relief
- World Food Programme (WFP) – food aid in emergencies
- CARE, Oxfam, Save the Children – disaster relief and education
Summary Table
| Service Area |
What They Do |
Real Examples |
| Emergency Rescue |
Search, rescue, first aid |
Turkey-Syria quake, Nepal missions |
| Food & Shelter |
Food, water, tents |
Pakistan floods, Haiti earthquake |
| Medical Help |
Clinics, medicine, hygiene |
Ukraine crisis, Myanmar, Nepal |
| Logistics |
Transport by air, water, land |
South Sudan, Mozambique |
| Emotional Support |
Counselling, family reunions |
Gaza, Syria, Indonesia |
| Recovery & Training |
Rebuild, train, prepare |
Indonesia tsunami, India schools |
Conclusion
Groups like the Red Cross save lives and bring hope during disasters. From emergency rescue to rebuilding villages, they support people when they need it most. Their work is an example of compassion, teamwork, and international cooperation.
