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In response to a 7.1 magnitude earthquake, the Mexican Red Cross quickly mobilized hundreds of volunteers and staff. This includes medical personnel such as nurses and doctors, 140 ambulances and 30 urban rescue unit to provide assistance to people impacted by the disaster in Mexico City and in Puebla.

One of the strongest hurricanes to hit the Caribbean in recent history, Irma has affected more than 1.2 million people across the region. Less than two weeks later, Hurricane Maria has brought new misery to the same areas, as the most intense hurricane to hit Puerto Rico in more than 80 years.

Overnight on August 14, after several days of torrential rainfall, devastating floods and mudslides occurred in and around Sierra Leone's capital city, Freetown. The most affected areas are in the eastern part of Racecourse, and in the outskirts of Regent and Lumley areas.
 

In our current era which favours immediacy over careful contemplation, some things still take a lifetime to achieve – and they are worth the wait. Just ask Red Deer’s Women of Excellence Lifetime Achievement award winner, Nora Styner. A long-time Canadian Red Cross volunteer, Styner also took home the Red Deer & Community’s leadership award in the category of Athletics, Recreation and Fitness. Both awards symbolize Styner’s unwavering commitment to volunteerism.

For Virginia Monias, 61, a member of Garden Hill First Nation, it was Manitoba's changing winds that forced her out of her home.
"The smoke was coming from the south, but they were afraid the smoke would come from the west and hit Garden Hill. They were prepared for it. That's why we came to Winnipeg," said Monias, who was evacuated on September 2.

Last year, Robert Falconer went into anaphylactic shock. The experience inspired him to become trained in first aid. Shortly after he got his training, Robert needed to use those skills. 

Full disclosure: I play soccer and have seen my fair share of head injuries on the field and I feel fairly confident in what to do, but when it comes to my rambunctious and active toddler, I’m sometimes unsure if I need to be concerned about a bump to the head or when I can chalk it up to just another bruise that isn’t going to slow him down.

So far, an estimated 1.2 million people have been impacted by Hurricane Irma and the powerful storm still poses a serious threat to millions more as it continues to barrel through the Caribbean.

The Red Cross is on the ground, responding to the needs of people who have already been affected, while still ramping up readiness in areas where the category 5 hurricane has yet to make landfall.The Canadian Red Cross already has a presence in the area and is in contact with the International Federation of the Red Cross to support the mobilization of regional teams.