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In the aftermath of the Battle of Solferino in 1859, Red Cross Red Crescent founder Henry Dunant called upon local villagers to come aid the wounded - among those who answered the call was Norman Bethune from Ontario. The Bethune family continues this legacy. 

​In a country surrounded by the Caribbean Sea, the Cuban Red Cross understands the importance of being prepared for water emergencies, especially as a first responder. Through the CERA (Capacity Building for Emergency Response) Initiative, a Cuban Red Cross expert in water rescue has led trainings for two sister island nations: Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

With wildfires once again in the news, many Canadians are thinking about what to do if there is an evacuation order in their community. Here are some tips for being prepared, whether you are under an evacuation alert or evacuation order. 

Imagine a disaster strikes and thousands upon thousands of people might be injured or trapped. How do you begin to assess the damage? Map out the impacted area? Determine where you are most needed? By using new innovations like drones, humanitarian organizations can get where they are needed faster.

In Bosnia, more than 8,000 people have arrived after travelling sometimes for years. They are looking for a safe place to live, after fleeing violence and conflict. Nicole Robicheau recently spent two weeks listening to stories from these people, and shares one that stood out to her. 

Canadian Red Cross volunteer Leslie White has spent most of her life ensuring the safety of those around water. Now as a City of St. John’s, Facilities Supervisor with the Department of Community Services in Newfoundland, her team oversees four aquatic centres, recreation facilities and more than 100 staff, while she volunteers with the Red Cross in multiple capacities.

During the summer, everyone loves to get together around a good campfire. However, you need to be constantly alert to keep your fire from spreading. You also need to make sure you are fully aware of any fire bans or restrictions in your area. 

If a disaster or emergency were to hit today, would your pet be ready? Take our quiz to see if your emergency plan is up to the task of keeping your dog, cat or other animals safe in an emergency.