The Legal Services Corporation and the American Red Cross have renewed an agreement to cooperate in the delivery of services to victims of natural disasters.

Under the agreement, which was originally signed in 2008 and renewed this September, LSC-funded legal aid programs will have access to Red Cross Service Delivery sites in order to provide legal counseling to disaster victims.

“Legal aid programs play a vital role in helping people recover from natural disasters,” said LSC President Victor M. Fortuno. “This agreement with the Red Cross ensures that victims will have access to the legal resources they need to get their lives back on track following a devastating disaster.”

The agreement also stipulates that LSC and the Red Cross will keep in close contact regarding natural disasters and will encourage their grantees or local chapters to coordinate on issues related to pre-disaster planning and disaster response activities.

The agreement is non-binding and will expire in two years, but may be renewed at that time.

View the agreement [PDF]

From LSC Updates, November 9, 2010