Date on Master's Thesis/Doctoral Dissertation

6-1948

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

M.S.S.W.

Department

Social Work

Committee Chair

Williams, Howell V.

Committee Co-Chair (if applicable)

Jacobson, Sylvia R.

Subject

American National Red Cross. Louisville Chapter; American National Red Cross. Louisville, Ky. Chapter

Abstract

In 1864, the Red Cross was born by the signing of the Treaty of Geneva. It was to become the only great international organization of its kind to relieve suffering during times of war. The founders had advanced the idea that relief in time of epidemics and disaster would be equally valuable, but this idea was not incorporated in the treaty. When the Congress of the United States ratified the treaty, service and relief in time of epidemics and disasters was included with the permission of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva. Although the Red Cross in America was functioning from 1881 until 1905, it was not until the latter date that the present Congressional Charter was passed by Congress, giving the organization its present governmental authority. The Red Cross is now the nation's disaster relief agency. Through leadership in many national disasters, a very complete and synthesized preparedness program has grown up. After each disaster, a careful evaluation was made until the present program evolved. The Red Cross is ready to go into action at a moment's notice in any type of disaster, whether it be fire, flood, tornado or earthquake. No section of the country is immune from some type of disaster, and it is not always possible to know when or where one will strike. Through study, it has been found that certain types of disasters are more prevalent in certain sections. The only answer was preparedness, and this is exactly what the Red Cross attempts to do. Night or day, in peacetime or wartime, the Red Cross is ready to assume leadership in time of disaster.

Download

Included in

Social Work Commons

Share

COinS