Different Symbols
Same Principles

International Services

Making a Difference at Home and Around the World

Every day, the American Red Cross is at work around the world providing relief to people in need.


Highlights: *

Michael Hawkins, board of governors member from Cincinnati, talks with a young boy awaiting his vaccination.

One of Cincinnati's Own participates in the Measles Initiative. Mike Hawkins, a Cincinnati Chapter board member is participating on this national led trip to Ghana. Check out his experience and learn more about the international Measles Initiative. Donate Now for the Measles Initiative Fund.

The Cincinnati Area Chapter of the American Red Cross contributes to relief efforts around the world by

• Locating family members separated due to war and disasters
• Deploying delegates to areas in need of assistance
• Collecting and distributing funds
• Developing channels of communication
• Educating people in the laws that govern international conflicts
• If you are interested in helping any of the above services Click here to learn more about Volunteer Opportunities in International Services.
• We launched Measles Partnership as a part of the vision of International Services to provide assistance to the world’s most vulnerable people.

Click here to see the International Services Measles Video

American Red Cross International Services

Locating

 Locating and Reaching People

The Cincinnati Chapter provides tracing and message services to help those in the local community find missing loved ones in areas ravaged by war or natural disasters.

Call (513) 579-3955 for assistance with the following services:

Locating missing loved ones

The American Red Cross works with the ICRC and other national societies to trace family members in the midst of war, civil unrest or disaster worldwide. Tracing requests are accepted and handled at the Cincinnati Area Chapter from any individual including international students, refugees and undocumented residents in the community.

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Deploying Red Cross to Help

Through our global network, the Cincinnati Area Chapter provides a small group of staff and volunteers that will work at international disasters or in times of conflict. The Cincinnati Area Chapter is looking for people willing to take the necessary training who can be sent to aid those in need throughout the world as well as in the United States.

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Developing Lines of Communication

Exchanging family messages

Through our global network, the Cincinnati Area Chapter provides a link to families separated by conflict around the world. The chapter can send messages from family members in our area to family members anywhere, whether they are civilians, refugees, prisoners of war, or detainees.

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Making international disaster relief inquiries

When earthquakes, severe storms and other natural disasters strike, normal lines of communication may be disrupted. Families having relatives in a disaster-stricken area can contact the Cincinnati Area Chapter for assistance.

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Making health and welfare inquiries

In peacetime and in the midst of conflict, when normal communication is disrupted, the American Red Cross makes every effort to assist family members in finding out the status of family members and to re-establish normal communication.

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Holocaust tracing services

The Cincinnati Area Chapter serves as a link to the Holocaust and War Victims Tracing and Information Center. The center offers tracing services to people seeking information about family members missing since the Holocaust and also offers assistance to U.S. residents searching for proof of internment, forced labor, or other documents that may be necessary for reparations.

Securing ICRC travel documents

Whenever people who are displaced lack the necessary documents to resettle permanently in another country, the American Red Cross works with the ICRC to handle requests for the appropriate travel documents.

Providing information and referral services

The Cincinnati Area Chapter provides timely, helpful information related to international conflicts and disasters and referrals to other public and private agencies. Resources are also available to businesses that have employees or facilities overseas that are affected by war or disaster. Call (513) 579-3954 for more information.

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Educating People

International Services can provide your organization with a speaker to talk about tracing, relief efforts in other parts of the world, American Red Cross activities internationally, International Red Cross training, becoming a delegate, and many other topics related to Red Cross/Red Crescent involvement worldwide. These presentations can be made at your location and can be tailored in length to meet your needs.

The Cincinnati Chapter also offers the following half-day programs that explain its role in the international arena:

Orientation to International Services explains the structure of the International Red Cross and the Red Crescent Movement and the involvement of the American Red Cross in international affairs. Participants will also receive an overview of the three other courses offered through International Services.

International Humanitarian Law (IHL) provides a basic introduction to the body of rules and principles that seeks to limit the conduct of war and protect the victims of armed conflict. It explains the legal protections for people impacted by war and the work of the Red Cross on behalf of those victims. The primary sources of IHL are the international treaties known as the Geneva Conventions, which include provisions for the sick and wounded, prisoners of war and civilians. It is under these conventions that the American Red Cross is able to provide help around the world.

Restoring Family Links explains the comprehensive global communication network and how the Red Cross goes about locating, reuniting, and exchanges Red Cross messages between people separated from their loved ones because of war, civil disturbance, or natural disaster .

International Relief and Recovery explores the role of the American Red Cross in preparing for and responding to international disasters and emergencies. It enables paid and volunteer staff to respond to public inquiries and coordinate community-based international relief and development activities.

To learn more about American Red Cross involvement internationally, call (513) 579-3954 to schedule a speaker or a course for your organization.

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Measles Partnership

We launched the Measles Partnership as a part of the vision of International Services to provide assistance to the world’s most vulnerable people. The goal is to prevent 1.6 million child deaths in Africa over 5 years and reduce to zero the number of measles deaths in Africa by 2005.

The American Red Cross is leading a US-based coalition of public and private organizations, which includes, among others:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• United Nations Foundation (UNF)
• World Health Organization (WHO)
• United Nation’s Children’s Fund (UNICEF)

The Measles Partnership has already raised $20 million for the first year of implementation. Using these funds mass campaigns will be carried out:

• In nine countries,
• Targeting 35.8 million children, and ultimately,
• Preventing 172,000 deaths.

The World Health Organization considers the administration of measles vaccine one of the most cost-effective public health interventions available and at a cost of less than $1.00 per child. The “Measles Partnership” hopes to eliminate measles deaths in Africa and eventually Worldwide.

For more information about how you can contact our International Services Director Vince Costello at (513) 579-3067 or email to: costellov@cincinnatiredcross.org.

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Collecting and Distributing Funds
Building Hope for the Future

The International Services department serves as a channel for monetary donations to international relief efforts through the International Relief Fund.

You can make a difference in the lives of people thousands of miles from here. Call (513) 579-3067 to contribute to relief efforts around the world.

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Volunteer Opportunities in International Services

The Cincinnati Area Chapter has ties to Red Cross/Red Crescent efforts throughout the world through its International Services department. Volunteers are needed to inform the community of services available to it and to increase awareness of activities, programs, relief efforts and humanitarian law as it applies to the Red Cross/Red Crescent mission.

Volunteer Opportunities

Naturalization Volunteer

Volunteers are needed to share information about the Red Cross to new naturalized American citizens. These volunteers set up a booth at naturalization ceremonies in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, distribute literature, answer questions regarding Red cross services and invite new citizens to participate in Red Cross programs.

Ethnic Liaison

These volunteers serve as a link from ethnic communities to the Red Cross. Ethnic Liaisons share information about the Red Cross with their communities and keep the Red Cross informed about community needs and key issues.

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