Welcome to the NH Gateway Chapter-American Red Cross

International Red Cross

The American Red Cross works with a global network of Red Cross, Red Crescent and equivalent societies to restore hope and dignity to the world's vulnerable people. Guided by our seven Fundamental Principles—Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity and Universality.

International Red Cross Movement-

brings emergency relief to disaster victims, improves basic living conditions of those in chronically deprived areas, and empowers people with the skills they need to help themselves. The members of the International Red Cross movement including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (Federation), and national societies like the American Red Cross, work together toward common goals during times of crisis or disaster. Learn more….

Each year, a disease that has virtually been eliminated in the Western Hemisphere kills nearly half a million hildren worldwide. This fact makes measles the leading vaccine-preventable cause of death among children. In places where health conditions are extremely poor, living conditions are more than difficult, and access to health care is minimal, measles can be easily prevented with a simple vaccination that costs less than a dollar per child.

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known. Many children who survive are left with lifelong disabilities such as blindness and brain damage. The Measles Initiative, launched in 2001, is a partnership committed to reducing measles deaths globally, with the goal of cutting measles deaths by 90% by 2010 compared to 2000. During its first five years (2001-2005), the Initiative supported the vaccination of more than 217 million children in Africa, saving 1.2 million lives. The American Red Cross leads the Initiative that includes the UN Foundation, UNICEF, WHO and CDC. Before the Measles Initiative began its life-saving work in Africa in 2001, nearly 1 million children died globally each year from this vaccine-preventable disease – and half of those children lived in Africa.

Building on its success in Africa, the Initiative has expanded into Asia. The Initiative increasingly provides additional life-saving health interventions in its campaigns, including vitamin A, de-worming medicine and insecticide-treated nets for malaria prevention. The Initiative has been called the most successful public health program in recent years. Learn more...

If you would like to donate specifically to this Initiative, please send your check made out to the NH Gateway Chapter-American Red Cross and note “MEASLES INITIATIVE” and mail it to: 28 Concord Street, Nashua, NH 03064