Coulee City dispatch. [volume] (Coulee City, Wash.) 19??-19??, 1938-10-20
Disasters Strike al
States During Year
Red Cross Aids 100000 Persons
Following Catastrophes

That the past year has not been an
easy one for the American Red Cross is
shown in a recent report listing dis.
asters necessitating Red Cross relief
throughout the United States during
the past twelve months.
The report reveals that 129 domestic
disasters called for Red Cross aid In
247 counties of Al states. and that
assistance was given to 420,0UO persons
who were disaster victims.
THAT this has been . very active
year is obvious when one compares
this years operations with the average
of 81 disasters requiring Red Cross aid
annually for the past is years." Chair
man Norman H. Davis said in com
menting on the Red Cross Disaster
Relief Service report.
These catastrophes included cloud.
bursts. cyclones. epidemics. fires.
floods, forest fires. hailstorms. mine ex'
plosions, school bus accident. ship
wreck. tornadoes. typhoons. and wind
storms.
disaster relief was the first humant.
tartan work of the American Red Cross
after it's organization in 1881" Mr.
Davis said. "In the ensuing 81 years
the flag of the Red Cross has flown
upon every scene Of major disaster in
the United States The Red Cross has
carried relief-food clothing, shelter
medical aid. rehabilitation OF homes
and famiiies-to more than 1900 scenes
of disaster at home and abroad, and
has expended over $l40.00G,000 con
trbuted by the American public in this
work of mercy"
The Red Cross policies OF relief, the
national chairman pointed out, have
been established over period Of years
through actual experience of its work.
ers in the field. Relief is given on
the basis OF need of sufferers-not OF
losses. Loans. he pointed out. are never
made. but relief is a gift from the Red
Cross in the name of its members anG
contributors to its work.
"It would not be possible for the Rec
Cross to carry out such widespread
relief activities without the help OF
thousands Of volunteer workers." Mr.
Davis said. volunteers are the main
stay of the organization, and in the
past years work assistance from many
cooperating agencies has made. 1t pos
sible for us to answer the many calls
for help"
While relief was being given to VIC
Tins of natural catastrophes. the Red
Cross was not unmindful OF the neces
sity7 for preparedness plans to meet
emergencies that may arise in any
American community. Red Cross chap
tiers In hundreds of countiel have or.
gained disaster preparedness commit.
tees charged with responsibility 10
map relief plans in advance OF need.
and to organize resources of commune
ties to prevent duplication of effort and
waste OF materials when calls for help
are received.
These plans are proving especially
advantageous in localities subject to
frequent floods. tornadoes, or hurri.
canes, and actual tests of such plan.
ming have demonstrated the necessity
for such measures.
"The administration of such relief
for disaster victims is made possible by
annual memberships of millions OF
Americans in all walks of life," Mr..
Davis pointed out. 1.-THE extent OF Red
Cross aid to such sufferers is entirely
dependent upon unselish sharing on