The American Red Cross responds to IMMEDIATE NEEDS to man-made and natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and fires or other situations that cause human suffering or create human needs that cannot be alleviated without assistance. It is an independent, humanitarian, voluntary organization, not a government agency. The American Red Cross Disaster Relief provides emergency food, clothing, shelter and assistance with medical needs to enable disaster victims to recover their pre-disaster status as quickly as possible. These services are provided 24 hours a day and are available to anyone affected by a disaster.