January 2014 (Page 21)

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

While we always talk about what should be in your disaster preparedness kit, we don’t often tell you what goes in ours. When we prepare for disasters we are not only preparing to ensure we can keep working should the worst happen, but also to help take care of those affected by disasters. We make sure that we have the basics: food, water, clothing, and other essential items that we can provide to those in need. We often have other administrative items as well, like: signs, pens, paper, rubber bands, pre-organized paper work and so on, to help us distribute aid in an organized manner.

Since conflict erupted in South Sudan several months ago, conditions have deteriorated rapidly for those leaving their homes in search of safety. Now driving rain makes their living conditions even harsher.

The start of summer also means the start of hurricane season. From June to November, Atlantic Canada is at risk from these powerful storms. Most of the tropical storms and hurricanes that threaten the Canadian coastline typically arrive later in the season according to the Canadian Hurricane Centre. However, now is a good time to get informed about the risks, take steps to prepare and learn more about how these severe weather events can impact the Atlantic coast.

When the Ebola virus first hit Guinea two months ago, many people didn’t realize it was the deadly haemorrhagic fever. Saa Sabas, from Guinea, was caring for his sick parent when he contracted the virus, but managed to beat it. Now, along with the Red Cross Society of Guinea, Saa Sabas works to raise awareness of how to prevent the spread of the disease, to allay some of the fear and rumours, as well as to combat the ignorance about this dangerous disease.

Should we follow animals’ leads when it comes to natural disasters? For centuries, people have argued that animals can predict natural disasters. Some experts believe animals may have a sixth sense allowing them to sense impending natural disasters long before we humans can.

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