I was wondering about the future of the Red Cross. I have seen their tents set up for the people leaving Kosovo. If this continues for some period of time (and I think it will :( ), will the Red Cross have the funds to survive? What will their role with FEMA be after the rollover if they are spending a wad of cash over there? I'm thinking that the people counting on the Red Cross may be SOL... Your thoughts?

-- (cannot-say@this.time), April 06, 1999

Answers

From what I have read from survivors of disasters, and military personnel who have had the Red Cross on site, making money is the Red Cross's top priority. Helping people seems to be an after-thought. Perhaps this is an exageration, but I remember one story, where the Salvation Army was giving flood-victims free coffee, and the Red Cross was charging for it.

-- Anonymous99 (Anonymous99@Anonymous99.xxx), April 06, 1999.

Anon 10 out of ten, other guy, get a grip...

-- Andy (2000EOD@prodigy.net), April 06, 1999.

Andy... are you telling me to get a grip? Excuse me Sir, for one thing, I am a Lady. For the other thing, for many months, I have read the stuff on this forum about everyone saying to look at the FEMA and the Red Cross Y2K information. I see the Red Cross being affected by this current "situation" that we are ALL involved in whether we like it or not. I just asked for an opinion, and I can see what yours is. Money is always the power, even for organizations like the Red Cross and even the Salvation Army. If not, why would I see them (the Salvation Army) from November thru Christmas trying to collect some?

-- (cannot-say@this.time), April 06, 1999.

Andy, years ago the Red Cross offered to take donations of certain items needed by a dying child in our family. One of the items requested was sheets -- toward the end, you may know, dying people can't control their bodily functions. After the child died, some of the people who donated sheets asked if the family had received them, that the sheets had come with personal notes intended to comfort the family. What the Red Cross had given the family was a bag of old rags. No notes.

-- Helen (sstaten@fullnet.net), April 06, 1999.

1) the Red Cross tents you see are NOT AMERICAN RED CROSS tents. they are from the ICRC (International Council (er committee?) of the Red Cross/Red Crescent

The ARC is a dues paying member of this body, only.

we may select one or two people per chapter to honor them with assignment to ICRC responses.

Chuck

-- Chuck, a night driver (reinzoo@en.com), April 06, 1999.

My friend's father gave his coat to an injured man during the war. While in a town, where the Red Cross was set up, they offered him a coat. He was later billed for it.

-- gilda jessie (jess@listbot.com), April 06, 1999.

Hey Chuck and others,

Really need some input ASAP on this. Our church wants to serve the community during a crisis and is considering offering the use of part of our building as a shelter through the Red Cross. Can't say why but feel uncomfortable wioth this. How would this fold in with FEMA? Would our ability to worship be hampered? Would the people in the shelter be able to leave the designated areas to worshipped if they wanted? etc etc

Those of you have have seen the RC in action or have particulars I would be very grateful.

I'm the only paranoid on the committee so facts will weigh heavily.

With deepest gratitude- EC

-- EC (JHnck1776@aol.com), April 07, 1999.