4/6/06

International Red Cross criticizes American Red Cross

Two international Red Cross organizations issued scathing criticisms of the American Red Cross's chaotic response to Hurricane Katrina, accusing the charity of approaching the relief effort with a "dangerous combination of ignorance and arrogance."

The reports -- by the British Red Cross and the Geneva-based International Committee of the Red Cross, which sent experts to the Gulf Coast shortly after Katrina struck -- say their American counterpart was ill-prepared for the disaster, relied on inexperienced volunteers in key positions and had an ineffective system for moving supplies to where they were needed.

The reports by the British Red Cross and the ICRC were prepared last September but the American Red Cross didn't release them until yesterday, after The Washington Post asked the British Red Cross for a copy.

[Excerpt of article by Jacqueline L. Salmon, The Washington Post]

No comments: