International Services

Learn about what we are doing in Africa through the Measles & Malaria Initiative
Learn more about Malaria No More!

What YOU can do to Help!
Spread Awareness about the problem. Since measles and malaria are not a big problem in the United States, many people do not realize that there is a problem. Learn as much as you can about the crisis and what is being done. The donation of just one dollar prevents a child from suffering complications of this devastating disease. One dollar will pay for the vaccine, syringe, cotton balls, and education given to communities where mass immunization campaigns occur.
If you have question, ideas, or want to help, please share them with us by contacting Rick Schou at 704.378.4624 or via

Why You Should Care
What You Can Do
Humanity Begins at Home
What Does the American Red Cross Stand For?
The American Red Cross is People Helping People
Humanitarian Law: Key to a Safer World

Why You Should Care

Sometimes the world seems hopeless. A hurricane or flood may hit a region already torn by armed conflict. Political unrest may block relief efforts after a natural disaster. The land is devastated. Food grows scarce. Children are torn away from their parents.

What You Can Do

The American Red Cross sends hope and help in such international crises. Acting globally, the American Red Cross touches lives locally.
We relieve suffering, rebuild self-sufficiency and restore family ties. We trace lost relatives, provide health care, bring in food assistance, ensure that water supplies are made safe, and help people recover their ability to care for themselves.
What most Americans enjoy every day — food, shelter, being with their family, the prospects for earning a living — the Red Cross restores to devastated populations.

Humanity Begins At Home

Services provided by the American Red Cross worldwide have a strong impact on American communities. Many people in this country have origins in other countries and keep close ties to friends and family in often-distant places. When a crisis occurs in another country, they turn to the Red Cross not only for information about their loved ones but also to contribute time and money.

Red Cross youth enjoy acting to help solve global problems. They know a bike-a-thon in Boston can alter a life in Bangladesh, that their school’s campaign to aid landmine victims can save lives in a country ridden with mines.

Red Cross donors in the U.S. are touched by the plight of the vulnerable — women, children, the elderly — and give generously. Our donors recognize a unique attribute of the Red Cross — that the Red Cross truly has a global reach, with counterparts in almost all countries of the world helping their communities build self-sufficiency. Further, donors feel assured knowing that Red Cross humanitarian contributions never leave Red Cross hands from one country to another.

What Does the American Red Cross Stand For?

The American Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross Movement. More than 250 million paid and volunteer staff are involved in Red Cross programs in virtually every country in the world.

The Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross:

• Humanity: Our purpose is to prevent and alleviate suffering, protect life and health and ensure respect for human beings.
• Impartiality: We do not discriminate as to nationality, race, religion, class or political opinions.
• Neutrality: We do not take sides in hostilities or political, racial, religious or ideological controversies.
• Independence: We must always maintain our autonomy.
• Voluntary Service: We are not prompted by a desire for gain.
• Unity: There is only one Red Cross or one Red Crescent society in any one country.
• Universality: The movement is worldwide.

The American Red Cross Is People Helping People

In more ways than you can imagine…

• Emergency food to 200,000 Bosnian families
• Food to elderly Bulgarians in the wake of economic collapse
• Construction of new homes for earthquake victims in Armenia
• Livestock and seeds for Mexican farm families in remote villages
• Construction of safe water supply systems in Rwanda and the Congo
• Support for primary health care programs in Bangladesh
• Aid to flood victims in Vietnam

And much more…

Humanitarian Law

Many people have heard of the Geneva Conventions — the international agreements that define fundamental rights during armed conflict for civilians and combatants removed from the fight by injury, illness or capture. But too few of us understand their importance, especially as the U.S. Armed Forces participate in complex international emergencies.