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About Us
The volunteer-led Grand Canyon Chapter
of the American Red Cross serves the more than 4.4 million people in Apache,
Coconino, Gila, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Pinal, Yavapai and Yuma
counties. For more information about our locations and services, please make a
selection from the left.
Vision
The vision of the
American Red Cross Grand Canyon Chapter is to partner with the people of Arizona
to develop and foster safer families, neighborhoods and worksites. Serving as a
leading public benefit corporation, we will promote a system of community
self-sufficiency and compassionate response when emergencies
arise.
Mission
The American Red
Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its
Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red
Cross Movement, will provide relief to victims of disasters and help people
prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.
Fundamental Principles
 Humanity. The Red Cross, born of a desire to bring assistance without
discrimination to the wounded on the battlefield, endeavors – in our
international and national capacity – to prevent and alleviate human suffering
wherever it may be found. Our purpose is to protect life and health and to
ensure respect for the human being. We promote mutual understanding, friendship,
cooperation and lasting peace amongst all peoples.
Impartiality. The Red Cross makes
no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political
opinions. We endeavor to relieve the suffering of individuals, being guided
solely by their needs, and to give priority to the most urgent cases of
distress.
Neutrality. In order to continue to enjoy the confidence of all, the Red Cross may
not take sides in hostilities or engage at any time in controversies of a
political, racial, religious or ideological nature.
Independence. The Red Cross is
independent. The national societies, while auxiliaries in the humanitarian
services of their governments and subject to the laws of their respective
countries, must always maintain our autonomy so that we may be able at all times
to act in accordance with Red Cross Principles.
Voluntary Service. The Red Cross is
a voluntary relief organization, not prompted in any manner by desire for
gain.
Unity. There can be only one Red Cross society in any one country. We must be
open to all. We must carry on our humanitarian work throughout our
territory.
Universality. The Red Cross is a worldwide institution in which all societies have
equal status and share equal responsibilities and duties in helping each
other.
The
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is an
impartial, neutral and independent organization whose exclusively humanitarian
mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of war and internal
violence and to provide them with assistance. No other member of the
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including the American Red
Cross, has that unique and challenging role.
The ICRC acts as the
guardian of the Geneva Conventions, reminding all parties involved in conflict
to adhere to the protections outlined in the conventions for prisoners of war,
wounded and sick combatants and civilians. ICRC carries out activities related
to its mission in conflicts around the globe.
For more information on the
International Committee of the Red Cross, visit www.icrc.org.
The American Red Cross and Magen David Adom
(MDA)
The American Red Cross is a proud supporter of the Magen
David Adom (MDA), the Israeli equivalent of the Red Cross. These two
organizations have enjoyed a strong relationship of mutual assistance since the
MDA’s founding more than 70 years ago. This relationship was formalized in
November of 2002, when the American Red Cross and the MDA signed a Memorandum of
Understanding. The agreement focuses on preparedness for weapons of mass
destruction events, biomedical services, and international tracing and family
reunification.
Adoption of the Third Protocol Accepts MDA into International
Federation
Following more than 50 years of
work toward resolving the issue, the American Red Cross commends the efforts of
governments and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (the
Movement) for adopting the Third Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions
at the Diplomatic Conference held in Geneva this week.
The
Third Additional Protocol creates an additional emblem alongside the red cross
and crescent, creating the Red Crystal. This historic event lays the groundwork
for the National Society of Israel, Magen David Adom (MDA) to become a full
voting member of the Red Cross Movement.
To read more about the American Red Cross’
support of and cooperation with the MDA, click here.
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