Canadian Red Cross responds to COVID-19 Providing support from coast to coast and around the world

The Canadian Red Cross is dedicated to supporting individuals, families and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through relationships with government agencies and widespread community partnerships, the Red Cross continues to adapt to emerging needs to assist the country’s most vulnerable as this international crisis evolves.

Across Canada, the Red Cross is actively responding to the pandemic, while modifying existing services to benefit the health and safety of Canadians. Where possible, Red Cross services have transitioned from face-to-face to virtual delivery to protect personnel, clients and the communities we serve.

Here are some examples of how the Canadian Red Cross is helping or has helped so far:

• Providing mental health support, key information, referrals to available assistance, and friendly calls to people in self-isolation on behalf of the governments of Quebec, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island.
• Supporting the distribution of financial assistance to those eligible through government programs in Quebec and New Brunswick.
• Distributing emergency supplies such as cots, blankets and hygiene kits upon request by local authorities.
• Convened a video conference meeting between members of the healthcare sector in Canada and in Italy in order to learn from the COVID-19 experience of the Italian Red Cross and Italian healthcare professionals.
• Supported the comfort and care of returning Canadians staying in quarantine in Trenton and Cornwall, in addition to providing a health clinic – which included health professionals trained to respond to international emergencies – to assist with the needs of the returning Canadians that most recently stayed at CFB Trenton.
• Sent a team of delegates to Japan to support Canadians being treated for COVID-19 in Japanese hospitals. Services provided, in coordination with the Embassy of Canada staff and the Japanese Red Cross, included psychosocial support, the provision of basic needs when required, as well as medical liaison support to help people understand their diagnosis and care.
• Channelling designated financial donations from Canada to support the global Red Cross/Red Crescent response.

QUOTE
“As the national and global response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, the Canadian Red Cross remains committed to finding solutions to help meet unmet needs. We are adapting the way we work in order to adjust to present-day realities, keep our teams healthy, and help Canadians through this crisis.” ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
For more information on the Red Cross’s role and to follow as it evolves in Canada and abroad during the COVID19 response, go to www.redcross.ca

ABOUT THE CANADIAN RED CROSS
Here in Canada and overseas, the Red Cross stands ready to help people before, during and after a disaster. As a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement – which is made up of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and 192 national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies – the Canadian Red Cross is dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and throughout the world.