Disaster Response (Page 24)

At the Canadian Red Cross, we talk a lot about personal preparedness. Be ready for disasters by knowing the risks, making a plan, and getting an emergency kit. But how does the Red Cross prepare for these situations?

The giggles of excited children could be heard over everything else. A couple of the observant kids outside one of the Canadian Red Cross mobile clinics in Kutupalong camp, spotted team leader Patrice Gordon sorting through a bag with toys. It didn’t take long after she stepped out into the bright sun, for a small swarm of these little, dusty bodies to flock around her.

Most people look forward to retirement as a time to slow down and relax, but that was not the plan for Hamilton resident Jim DePass. In 2006, after finishing a rewarding 40-year career with a steel manufacturer, Jim decided that his first priority as a retiree was to volunteer, and his sights were set on the Canadian Red Cross. 

Volunteers work tirelessly with the Canadian Red Cross to assist the most vulnerable in their communities. As one of those volunteers, I can tell you it is a rewarding experience, but also one that presents unique challenges.

After a devastating tsunami in 2004, survivors had many needs – one that emerged in Sri Lanka was the need for child protection.

Recently the Red Cross and Red Crescent in Bangladesh received much needed hygiene kits, thanks to support from the Government of Canada. The kits were distributed to people in Hakimpara Camp, Bangladesh. 

A tsunami warning was issued overnight for people living in coastal regions of British Columbia following a strong earthquake off the coast of Alaska. Fortunately, the warning was later lifted with no damage was reported. However, it did spark renewed interest in how to best prepare for tsunamis and what to do in case of a tsunami warning.

As the saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention. In the humanitarian sector, particularly in emergencies, innovations often come about in response to a specific challenge that forces organizations like the Canadian Red Cross to adapt and change processes.