Canadian Red Cross Welcomes Support from the Government of Canada for COVID-19 Response

Recruitment of new personnel underway across the country
 

The Canadian Red Cross welcomes its continued partnership with the federal government to help augment pandemic response needs across the country, as referenced today during the Government of Canada’s Fall Economic Update. The funding will enable the Red Cross to meet increased demand as a result of the second wave of the pandemic by using existing personnel and expertise, as well as expanding its capacity by recruiting new people to provide surge support in response to COVID-19 outbreaks and other large-scale emergencies or disasters.
 
The Canadian Red Cross is well-positioned to assist with pandemic efforts. From the initial onset of COVID-19 in this country, the Red Cross helped to support returning Canadian travellers quarantined in Trenton and Cornwall. Since then, Red Cross personnel have worked in communities across the country to address emerging needs. This includes:

• surge capacity to health systems by providing skilled personnel, along with epidemic prevention and control expertise to assist in long-term care homes;
• emergency field hospital components to support health infrastructure;
• working alongside Indigenous communities to support health preparedness and response capacity;
• training on the proper use of personal protective equipment; and,
• wellness checks and psychosocial support for people in isolation.

 As needed, the role of the Red Cross will continue to expand, such as to assist with testing sites to help Canadians during these challenging times.
 
The Canadian Red Cross is actively recruiting to fill a variety of paid and volunteer positions across the country. People who would like to help other people – during this pandemic or in a disaster or emergency – are encouraged to find out more information at redcross.ca.
 
QUOTE
“The Canadian Red Cross continues to address the challenges of COVID-19 alongside communities across the country. Today’s announcement from the federal government will allow the Red Cross to continue to build teams to respond where help is needed the most. These teams will assist by providing comfort and care to Canadians as we tackle this pandemic together. The Red Cross is actively recruiting Canadians to join our teams across the country. Details for paid and volunteer positions are available at redcross.ca.”
- Conrad Sauvé, president and CEO, Canadian Red Cross
 
For more information about the Canadian Red Cross response to the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit 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.
 
MEDIA CONTACTS
English Media: 1-877-599-9602
French Media: 1-888-418-9111