ARC Announces MOU to Provide Safe Children's Areas in Public Shelters

June 25, 2007 -- The American Red Cross, Children's Disaster Services (a program of the Church of the Brethren) and Save the Children signed a Memorandum of Understanding which defines how these organizations collaborate to establish "Safe Spaces" in emergency evacuation shelters during disaster events in the United States. Recent Red Cross disaster statistics show that in FY 2006, nearly 450,000 people were sheltered following disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, other storms, fires and explosions. It is estimated that at least one-third of those seeking a safe haven were children.

During a shelter situation, "Safe Spaces" provide children with safe physical areas in which they can play, learn, socialize and express themselves under the supervision of a caring adult. Safe Space Kits contain materials that can be used to set-up and establish a safe space within a shelter. These pre-packaged kits contain materials to mark off a special area for children, activity supplies (such as art materials, books, games and toys), and other materials to assist children and families in a shelter environment. The structured, supervised activities offered in Safe Spaces are designed to strengthen children's resilience and help them begin to work through their emotions following a disaster.

The tri-lateral agreement signed today defines the broad cooperative actions of each organization. Depending on the scope and scale of the disaster and impact and available resources, the Red Cross will provide space in shelters for children's activities, Save the Children will provide equipment and materials in the form of a Safe Space kit and Children's Disaster Services will provide volunteers to work with children in the shelter or any other service delivery location.