The Embassy of Mexico in the United States and the Red Cross will work on several programs, including the Restoring Family Links service of the American Red Cross which helps reestablish contact with lost relatives like these sisters who hadn't seen each other for six decades. Red Cross photo by Aleksandr Kozachenko.
The American Red Cross signed several Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) in 2020, including one between the Red Cross and the Embassy of Mexico aimed at better assisting the Mexican community across the United States in emergency situations, and in their disaster recovery.
This memorandum outlines a national partnership based on four important pillars: 1) the constant exchange of information; 2) creation of rapid response mechanisms during both the emergency and recovery phases; 3) the training of consular staff; and 4) access to other Red Cross programs.
MOU HIGHLIGHTS Working with the Embassy of Mexico in the United States and its network of 50 consulates, the Red Cross will work in local communities to encourage disaster preparedness and training. Programs may include Be Red Cross Ready, a free disaster preparedness program; Ready Rating, a free program that helps businesses, schools and other organizations prepare for disasters and other emergencies; education about Red Cross mobile apps such as “Emergency” and access to the Red Cross Disaster and Safety Library. The Embassy and its network of consulates may also participate in the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign at both the national and local level.
Both the Red Cross and Embassy of Mexico will work to educate the Mexican community about the importance of giving blood and collaborate with the Red Cross Restoring Family Links program, which reconnects families separated by war, armed conflict, disaster and other emergencies.
The Red Cross remains committed to serving at-risk Latino communities during times of disaster and we are very thankful for this partnership that will help us prepare and serve Mexicans residing all across the United States.
In this video, our Senior VP of Disaster Cycle Services, Trevor Riggen, announces his signing of the MOU between the Red Cross and the Embassy of Mexico.
MOU RENEWALS in 2020
On July 15, 2020, The American Red Cross and Adventist Community Services renewed their longstanding partnership of more than 25 years. The national partnership focuses on preparedness and response activities in local communities. The Red Cross and ACS can prepare their communities for disasters with a focus on home fires, disasters and preparedness activities for businesses, schools and organizations.
One of the most important activities of disaster response is pre-disaster planning. Determining how each organization can assist each other and their community during a response ensures effective and timely action. These activities include disaster assessment, sheltering, emotional and spiritual care, warehouse or distribution center activities, client referrals, training each organization can provide to the other, drills and exercises.
On November 20, 2020, The American Red Cross and Islamic Relief USA renewed their partnership of 10 years. The partnership has built trust between our organizations and extended reach into the Muslim American community, increased diversity and cultural competency of services provided, and enhanced the collective capacity of the volunteer workforce through community mobilization in preparedness, response and recovery.
Red Cross and IRUSA can prepare their communities for disasters with a focus on home fires, disasters and preparedness activities for businesses, schools and organizations. One of the most important activities of disaster response is pre-disaster planning. Determining how each organization can assist each other and their community during a response ensures effective and timely action. These activities include disaster assessment, sheltering, client referrals, financial assistance, training, drills, exercises and community rebuilding.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
