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As a young teenager, I remember the thrill of finally being old enough to babysit younger children in the neighbourhood, but I also remember the fear. Not only did I have to keep young minds entertained for hours on end, I had to be able to properly care for these young kids, and it was solely my responsibility.

Recent humanitarian emergencies around the world have some people asking if there are any limits to war. Well, there are – and those limits are governed by International Humanitarian Law.

In Gambia, one of Africa's smallest countries, rain-fed subsistence agriculture is the main livelihood for the majority of its population of just under two million people.  An especially poor rainfall in 2011-12 resulted in the majority of the Gambian population not having enough to eat. The Red Cross responded to this emergency with the support of the Government of Canada. A “twin-track approach” was used which ensures people have the food for immediate survival, as well as a supply of good quality seed and fertilizer to meet future needs.

It’s an unavoidable part of the year, full of used tissues, cups of tea, and daytime TV. Now that I’ve had my share of colds and the flu, I feel like I’ve learned my share – here’s the top five things I’ve learned about having the flu.

Spending time outside is a big part of many Canadians’ winters, but there is need for precautions to make sure everyone stays warm and avoids a cold-related emergency. What’s a cold-related emergency? When a person is exposed to cold temperatures it can cause their body temperature to decrease. 

Last weekend the Feast of the Nazarene was held in Manila. This annual religious gathering, which features one of the biggest processions in the country, saw close to 10 million people participating.  Our colleagues at the Philippine Red Cross were kept busy on the scene, where they had set up their emergency field hospital.

It is the time of year where we all dream of a warm escape from these cold climates. If you’re planning on making this a reality by vacationing south or going somewhere warmer from our Canadian winter, keep in mind these sun and water safety tips.

Like the rest of Haiti, the Jacmel community was left reeling after the January 12, 2010 earthquake devastated the country. This community of 40,000, capital of the Sud-Est department of Haiti, suffered significant damage to many buildings, including an estimated 70% of homes and the county hospital Saint Michel a Jacmel. Given that a strong and functional major health care facility is vitally important to both short-term and long-term recovery efforts, the reconstruction of Saint Michel Hospital was considered an essential task.