The American Red Cross has been providing assistance to victims of disasters throughout the United States since Clara Barton founded the organization in 1881. In FY 1996, Red Cross volunteer disaster workers responded to 68,121 disasters across the nation. In FY 1996, the Red Cross sheltered 172,111 people and gave financial assistance to 125,120 individuals and families affected by disasters. The Red Cross also fed hundreds of thousands of people,including emergency workers. Other Red Cross assistance, such as health and mental health services and referrals to other available resources, was given to thousands of people.
Residential fires are the most frequently occurring disasters in the United States.
Red Cross chapters provided disaster relief to victims of 63,699 fires during FY 1996. Fiscal Year Amount 1992. . . . All figures based on 1995-96 data. Some figures have been updated to reflect actual expenditures as operational ledgers have been finalizealized.