U.S. military families rely on the American Red Cross to relay emergency messages between U.S. troops and their families. Emergency communications, counseling and emergency financial assistance are just some of the assistance provided to U.S. military families everyday by American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services.
To accomplish this, the Red Cross maintains a worldwide Emergency Communications system, anchored by 237 Red Cross stations, with 42,000 volunteers and 624 paid staff, on military installations around the world. These stations are integrated with the nearly 1,800 Red Cross chapters throughout the United States to form a network that quickly gets emergency information to military members worldwide. Through the Veteran Administration Volunteer Services, Red Cross volunteers provide a number of support services to patients in Veterans Administration hospitals. The Red Cross also provides assistance and information to veterans about the benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Red Cross services include:
Armed Forces Emergency Services (AFES)
AFES helps military membes and military families cope with separation and other special situations related to military service. This includes around-the-clock, around-the-world communication between military members and their families; neutral, impartial asssistance, including comfort and counseling; independent verification of emergency situations; and financial assistance and referrals for emergency travel and other family needs.
Emergency Communications
Red Cross emergency messages provide military personnel and their commanders with fast, reliable information to help them make decisions regarding emergency leave, deferment, compassionate reassignment and dependency discharge.
Financial Assistance
the Red Cross collaborates with the Military Aid Societies in providing financial assistance when an urgent personal or family crisis arises. Financial assistance is provided when there is a demonstrated need for funds for such things as emergency travel, burial assistance, or urgent health and welfare needs such as food and shelter. Red Cross workers will assist veterans in the preparation, development, and effort to obtain evidence to support claim for financial benefits through the Board of Veterans Appeals.
Counseling
The Red Cross offers counseling, information, referrals and other social services to military families. Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services workers are neutral personnel to whom military presons or family members can go for confidential problem solving.
To contact a deployed servicemember, call (877) 272-7337 to reach the Red Cross office nearest you. Most military installations have a Red Cross office on base. To find your nearest Red Cross chapter or office, you can also go to the Red Cross Website.
