Red Cross organizations play a key role in responding towards disasters and natural calamities that befall a given area. Despite the pivotal role that they play, Red Cross organizations continue to experience a couple of challenges in the execution of their work. One of the key problems that Red Cross personnel might face includes the lack of a proper understanding of a given terrain. For example, terrorist attacks might be conducted on areas that are highly inaccessibly due to bad weather or lack of adequate infrastructure. This means that the mode of response to the disaster by Red Cross may at times be ineffective and may take more time. This would cause more incidences cause the loss of lives that could be saved in the first place. Terrorist attacks for example in the case of 9/11 were conducted on buildings. Some of the buildings in some of the areas lack proper fire safety equipment and infrastructure (Wheeler, 2003, p.47). This would mean that the accessibility of such buildings would be difficult thereby slowing the response and recovery mission.
It is worth noting that the responsibility of responding to disaster should not only be left to members of the Red Cross or firefighters. Members of the public also have a key role to play in enhancing the success of Red Cross activities. One of the way members of the general public can improve organizational response is by contributing funds to improve the services of the Red Cross. Members of the general public can also volunteer for the Red Cross so that they can be able to get the necessary expertize required. In addition, members of the public can assist Red Cross personnel with logistical equipment and paraphernalia such as drinking water. However minimal the assistance on the Red Cross personnel it can go a great way in enhancing the effectiveness of the response mechanism.
References
Wheeler, J. C. (2003). The Red Cross. Edina, Minnesota: ABDO.
