10 Things You Didn't Know About the International Red Cross
1. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is the world's largest humanitarian network. It includes the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the societies in 186 member countries.
2. Henry Dunant, a Swiss man, came up with the Red Cross concept in 1859. In 1863, he and four other men in Geneva established the International Committee for Relief to the Wounded.
3. Dunant's organization was later renamed the Red Cross to reflect its emblem, which is the reverse of the Swiss flag.
4. Disaster response makes up the largest portion of the IFRC's work, but it also is committed to disaster preparedness and health and community care.
5. The network raised just above $3 billion for relief for the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami victims.
6. From 2004 through 2008, 51 percent of the disasters to which the IFRC responded were weather related.
7. In 2008 alone, the IFRC responded to 623 disasters worldwide.
8. The network has more than 97 million staff, volunteers, and supporters.
9. The IFRC has its own Disaster Relief Emergency Fund, totaling $15 million per year, to use for pre-emptive action. The rest of the organization's funding is raised in response to specific events.
10. The IFRC initially released about $500,000 in aid for Haiti's recent disaster and has since launched an appeal to raise $10 million for relief.
Sources: ifrc.org
- See photos of the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti.
Reader Comments
Red Cross CEO is paid $565,000 - Find out more ...
We also need to highlight that the CEO of the Red Cross (a "non-profit" org) is paid $565,000!
Apparently because that is what it takes to attract people with the necessary talent and experience for such a "large organization."
Interestingly, the US President only earns $400K ($200K as recently as Pres. Clinton) - so I think we can be sure that there are plenty of well qualified people who will capably lead the Red Cross without such an outrageous salary. Especially, given that most of their work is done by volunteers or extremely modestly paid staff.
I urge people to consider donating to other organizations that are also doing exemplary work - rather than a knee-jerk reflexive donation to the RC (helped by the media's default publicity of the RC.)
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For the sake of accuracy, here is the link to an article from WP.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/08/AR2008040801553.html
Interestingly, it also highlights the lack of in depth experience - stating that the person has "done little work in the primary mission of the Red Cross: disaster relief." and "will face a steep learning curve".
contributions
The Red Cross made a good decision not to spend all of it's windfall donations after the 9/11 attacks. American generosity provided more than was needed for that particular event. Then the Red Cross was chastised for what I consider to be doing a very prudent and responsible thing. What if subsequently there were more attacks or other catastrophic and unforseen events? The Red Cross was in a position of great preparedness. Why
should every nickel received at that time be spent? Why should
they give a million to people who lost a loved one in the towers? It's great to help them if needed, but where is common
sense?
RedCross ceo salary
It is unfortunate that this rescue organization has to pay its CEO such a large salary, however thats the true AMERICAN way organizations get the best people to manage.This person has many options to go to other places and in some cases for even more money.If you want the best to run your charity it's going to cost you.
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