Red Cross responds to emergencies worldwide with First Responder Initiative

Emergencies worldwide have grown in scope and severity, but programs offered by the Red Cross Movement may be the key to improving conditions and giving vital assistance to those in need.

The First Responder Initiative is an attempt to strengthen the country's preparation for and response to significant international disasters, with a focus on those happening in the Americas.

This three-year program also represents a partnership between the Government of Canada and the Canadian Red Cross, and has benefitted from the generous contribution of the Government of Canada.

"We are incredibly grateful to the Government of Canada for this important contribution," said Conrad Sauvé, secretary general and CEO of the Canadian Red Cross. "The First Responder Initiative allows us to build on our strong disaster response experience, and given the increase and frequency of large disasters internationally, ensuring we prepare accordingly is vital."

The initiative includes the training of Red Cross delegates and the acquisition of equipment so the Canadian Red Cross has the capacity to deploy Emergency Response Units (ERUs) anywhere in the world within 48 hours and start treating patients within 1-hour after arrival.  The Canadian Red Cross has two ERUs,a Basic Health Care unit and the Rapid Deployment Emergency Hospital.

In addition to the ERUs, the initiative handles the recruitment and training of an estimated 300 Canadians who are experts in emergency and disaster management. It also works to improve the capacity of Red Cross National Societies, like those in Nicaragua, Honduras, Haiti and the Dominican Republic, to effectively handle disaster management.

The First Responder Initiative has helped improve the lives of many vulnerable people on an international scale who have been affected by natural disasters and health crises.

Recently, the initiative was used to support communities affected by the worst recorded outbreak of cholera in Freetown and other parts of Sierra Leone. Since January, more than 21,769 cases have been reported and 289 deaths have occurred as a result of cholera, spurring government officials to declare a national emergency.

The devastating impact that cholera has had on the region is still being felt. In response, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies launched an emergency appeal in August for $1.35 million targeting over 1,500,000 beneficiaries. By promoting healthy activities, helping families find safe solutions and building functioning toilet facilities, the Movement has sought to aid the country in the recovery process.

To learn more about the First Responder Initiative, please visit the website or your local Red Cross office for more details.