The Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, is an agreement to establish a working relationship with the Surry County Chapter of the American Red Cross in planning and preparing for, responding to, recovering from and mitigating disasters. The agreement sets forth the broad framework for cooperation between the two organizations in rendering assistance and service to victims of disasters in the area covered by the Surry County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

A disaster is an occurrence such as hurricane, tornado, flood, tidal wave, drought, fire, explosion, building collapse, hazardous materials incident or situation that causes human suffering or creates human needs that victims cannot alleviate without emergency assistance.

Disaster relief refers to emergency assistance to persons who are deprived of the essential life needs because of a disaster. The purpose of providing such relief is to assist these persons with the basic needs of life until they begin their recovery process.

The type of services that the Surry County Chapter will provide to disaster victims is: