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With winter finally thawing, spring brings warmer weather as well as an increased risk of flooding. Floods are one of the most common and costly disasters in Canada, and the Canadian Red Cross is already providing support in communities affected by flooding in some parts of the country. 

Pictured above, a 5-year old boy from Syria, recently displaced, gets his polio vaccination from Dr. Tarek of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent health department.

Red Cross has increased its response to help limit the spread of Ebola cases in Guinea, a west African country, since the outbreak began three weeks ago. This latest outbreak of the virus, which is highly infectious and can spread quickly through contact with infected persons or animals, has resulted in over 100 fatalities 

Rose Thompson, a volunteer with the London branch, knows how to throw a party. Last summer, the White Oaks Walmart store in London exceeded its Red Cross fundraising goal, due in large part, to Rose’s efforts.

Sirens piercing, phones ringing, and voices shouting above the din. People rushing in and out of chaos – hyper-focused on the urgency of their tasks. Enter Donald Bourne – an emergency response senior advisor for the Red Cross – who thrives in crisis situations. Bourne has worked on everything from fires and floods in Alberta to conflict zones and disasters around the world.

Canadian Red Cross volunteer Russell Barton is motivated by knowing his actions will positively affect people in the future. That’s one of the many reasons he is a dedicated disaster management volunteer with Red Cross in Saskatchewan.

Erin Kielly is a strong, proud Red Cross volunteer on Prince Edward Island. Erin began volunteering with Red Cross following her graduation from university, first in disaster management and subsequently as a member of the Red Cross Provincial Advisory Council and the Atlantic Council.

The Round-up offers a weekly sample of what our sister Red Cross Societies are working on around the world.