Preparedness (Page 18)

Happy New Year! It’s hard to believe that it’s already 2016. Many of us are starting off the year by making some resolutions to make 2016 great. Looking for ideas? 

The start of the year is a perfect time to check your emergency kit to make sure everything is ready to go if it’s needed. 

In an emergency, you may not have electricity to cook standard meals for your family or yourself – what delicious and nutritious meals would you ‘cook’ up?
Join in our contest by using #DisasterDining to share your recipe as text, photo or video. The seven entries with the most votes will be eligible to win a $25 Walmart gift card or disaster preparedness kit.

Released today by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), this year’s World Disasters Report takes a look at the importance of local actors, individuals and local groups such as National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, taking action as first responders at the scene of a crisis.

My first impression of Philippine Red Cross staff and volunteers when I arrived straight after Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013 was of dedicated and hardworking people who deeply believe in the mission and ideals of the Red Cross. They never shy away from harsh and difficult conditions to ensure that assistance is delivered to those who truly need it, when they need it.

It may seem contradictory that Canadian Red Cross aid worker Nicolas Verdy first got a degree in anthropology, and then went on to study computer technology, but for this Montreal native, it is proving to be an ideal basis for his humanitarian career.