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After a disaster, the Red Cross is often on the scene 
right away to meet the needs of survivors. Volunteers set 
up shelters at safe locations, providing places to stay for 
those who cannot return to their homes. The Red Cross 
also takes on the big job of feeding disaster victims and 
emergency workers. 
The victims of natural disasters, who suffer injuries 
ranging from minor cuts to far more serious wounds, have 
major medical needs. The Red Cross helps meet those 
needs by sending nurses to the scene of the disaster. 

Helping the nurses are many other medical workers 
such as paramedics. Paramedics work to treat the wounded, 
and also transport them to sites where their injuries can 

be given proper care. Hospitals often overflow with those 
requiring medical care, and doctors and nurses work to give 
survivors the treatment and care that they need. 

The Red Cross often sets up "tent 
cities" to help disaster survivors. 

In some cases the medical facilities and personnel at 
a disaster site are not enough to meet the needs of the 
survivors. When this happens, doctors and nurses from 
outside the area may come in to care for the wounded. 
One major medical relief group is Doctors Without 
Borders, an international organization that works to 
ensure that people everywhere receive medical care. To 
aid in disaster relief, Doctors Without Borders may send 
volunteer doctors and nurses to disaster sites. 

Heavy rains and flooding struck many areas in the 
countries of Haiti and the Dominican Republic in May 
2004. Doctors Without Borders sent emergency teams to 
the region. They set up local health centers and took care 
of the most serious injuries and illnesses there. They also 
brought with them thousands of emergency kits that were 
used to treat people who were not hurt as badly. 

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