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Learn how through the support of a Canadian Red Cross initiative, the Nicaraguan Red Cross' disaster preparedness and response system had been strengthened, allowing them to be ready when Hurricane Nate hit earlier this year. 

When we see the kind of destruction that events like Hurricane Maria can leave behind, it's easy to not see the unique stories of the individuals who are impacted. From the ground in Dominica, Caroline Haga with the IFRC shares some of those stories.  

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.

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.

Read how the Canadian Red Cross, with support from the Government of Canada, was able to provide much needed support to vulnerable communities during Hurricane Matthew in Haiti. When the storm hit, and as time followed, the Red Cross worked to meet immediate needs on the ground, provide important supplies, and travel to hard-to-reach areas to deliver medical care. 

The impact of Cyclone Mora is being felt along coastal areas of Bangladesh which made landfall in south east Bangladesh this morning (May 30). With high winds and heavy rains, the Bangladesh meteorological office has warned that coastal districts could face flooding as a result of 4-5 metre storm surges along the sea front.

​It was seven years ago that a deadly earthquake struck Haiti on January 12, 2010. Since that day, the Canadian Red Cross has never stopped supporting the survivors and has remained present on the ground. This made it possible to support communities in the wake of other disasters, since the seven years following the earthquake were not without challenges. Haitians faced a cholera epidemic, Tropical Storm Sandy, the recent Hurricane Matthew and more.

Immediately after Hurricane Matthew struck Haiti on October 4, the Haiti Red Cross Society and other Red Cross partners rushed staff and volunteers to the worst affected communities to assess needs and deliver emergency assistance. Canadian Red Cross aid delegate Dr. Lynda Redwood-Campbell was part of an IFRC assessment team that was among the first to reach many storm-battered towns and villages and had a key role in supporting the health response that followed, in coordination with Haiti’s Ministry of Health, the Haiti Red Cross and other health responders. These are some of her reflections: