Organizations that have a formal role in coordinating the provision of disaster relief and/or recovery services following a major disaster or large-scale emergency that disrupts the normal functioning of a community. Included are coalitions of community-based organizations in a defined geographic area whose members are prepared to act in concert to respond to the emergency needs of the community during the relief and recovery phases of a disaster and non-affiliated organizations with a designated role. Some collaboratives are local VOADs (known in some places as COADs), that are organized through state-level VOAD/COAD chapters which are affiliates of the national organization, National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD), a formal coalition of national voluntary organizations with a common interest in providing disaster relief. Other coalitions are "interfaiths" which gather financial and other resources from the faith community and distribute them to people in need, generally after American Red Cross and other immediate relief organizations have completed their work. NOTE: "Disaster Relief" is a category of services utilized by community agencies involved in disaster work. Government organizations do not recognize disaster relief as a formal part of the disaster cycle. Most of the services classified as disaster relief are considered by government to be part of disaster recovery and a few (e.g., disaster welfare inquiries) are categorized as disaster response.

Programs conducted by organizations like the American Red Cross that provide a communication network which enables the general public to obtain information about the circumstances of relatives and friends who are in an area within the U.S. where a major disaster or wide-spread emergency has occurred. Also included are disaster survivor registries that allow individuals who are alive following a disaster to post their name and medical condition for access by family members and friends; or to leave voice messages providing information about their circumstances, their current location and how to reach them.

Programs that meet the basic nutritional needs of relief workers and/or individuals and families whose homes have been made uninhabitable by a disaster or large scale emergency and who have no other means of purchasing food and/or preparing a meal. Food assistance may also available to individuals who have experienced a localized incident such as a house fire.

Programs that provide a variety of services following or in the midst of a major disaster or large-scale emergency which help individuals cope with their own psychological reactions to the incident and/or prepare them to provide emotional support for family members, friends and neighbors who are feeling frightened, confused and no longer in control of their lives because of the event.

Centers opened by trained Red Cross volunteers to assist people who have sustained damage in a major disaster or large-scale emergency that disrupts the normal functioning of a community. Disaster victims meet with caseworkers who assess their needs and supply clothing, rent assistance, beds and bedding, necessary furniture, cooking and eating utensils, occupational supplies, prescription medication, small appliances and other necessities.

Individuals who have suffered physical injury or loss of property due to a sudden calamitous event of natural or human origin such as a fire, flood, hurricane, tornado, earthquake or outbreak of war or civil unrest.