Disaster Recovery Assistance Available From Two Separate Sources: FEMA And The American Red Cross 

Release Date: November 14, 2005
Release Number: 1606-073

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AUSTIN, Texas -- Persons who come to the American Red Cross (ARC) for disaster assistance are not automatically registered with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or vice versa.

The two agencies work together to help with assistance and recovery after a disaster occurs, but their missions, programs and funding sources are different. Registration with one agency does not include registration with the other.

FEMA is a federal agency funded by the U.S. Congress that administers disaster programs determined by the 1988 Stafford Act and the Disaster Relief Act of 1974. The American Red Cross is a volunteer, non-profit agency, mandated by Congress in 1905 to provide short-term disaster relief services throughout the nation. ARC raises its relief funds publicly and determines its own programs. Their separate contact information is:

Both agencies have been exceptionally active this year following destructive landfall on the U.S. mainland of five major hurricanes, most notably hurricanes Rita and Katrina.

FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

Last Modified: Monday, 14-Nov-2005 17:48:32