(AFES)
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Armed Forces Emergency
Services (AFES) |
American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services (AFES) helps military members and military families cope with separation and other special needs related to service in the armed forces. Services include around-the-clock, around-the-world communication between military members and their families; neutral, impartial assistance, including comfort and counseling; independent verification of emergency situations; and financial assistance and referrals for emergency travel and other family needs.
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AFES paid and volunteer staff deploy with U.S. troops in operations and exercises world wide. AFES staff also deliver many other basic Red Cross services, including health and safety education, volunteer recruitment and placement, and disaster services at Red Cross stations on U.S. military installations worldwide. All services are consistent with the American Red Cross mission of helping people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies and are provided by trained paid and volunteer staff members committed to the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement. In 1905, the U.S. Congress granted a charter to the American Red Cross that required the organization to act "in accord with the military authorities as a medium of communication between the people of the United States and their armed forces..." Since that charter was granted, the Red cross has provided not only communications but a variety of basic humanitarian services to help members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families around the world.
The Red Cross keeps military personnel in touch with their families following the death or serious illness of an immediate family member or the birth of a child or in response to other family emergencies. 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.
The Red Cross collaborates with the Military Aid Societies in providing financial assistance, either as an interest-free loan or as a grant, 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.
The Red Cross offers counseling, information, referrals, and other social services to military families. Red Cross AFES workers are neutral personnel to whom military persons or family members can go for confidential problem solving.
The Red Cross provides assistance and information to veterans about the Department of Veterans Affairs. Red Cross workers assist veterans in the preparation, development, and effort to obtain evidence to support a claim for financial benefits through the Board of Veterans Appeals. Also, through the Veterans Administration Volunteer Services, Red Cross volunteers provide a number of support services to patients in Veterans Administration hospitals.
For more information about American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services click here.
