Canadian Red Cross

Within hours of the ICRC field hospital opening its doors in Rafah, Gaza, health care staff heard the first cries of a newborn baby. Sanad is the first baby born at the hospital, delivered by caesarean section, and the third child for Reem Abo Mousa and her husband. It was a challenging pregnancy, made even more so by the ongoing and escalating hostilities. Reem and her family have twice had to relocate to safer surroundings. She tried to access health care support at another hospital but was turned away due to lack of medical personnel. “I was not able to make medical tests and check on my baby as we usually do because of the situation. There was no food to feed myself well and feed my baby. There were also no vitamins to take. “I am thankful for the help, for the doctors and nurses who helped me deliver my baby. I named him Sanad, which means ‘support’. We hope for him to be our support.” The Canadian Red Cross, with funding from the public and the Government of Canada Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada , is supporting the field hospital with surgical equipment, medicines, diagnostic equipment, disinfection materials, and personnel. The 60-bed hospital is a collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross International Committee of the Red Cross - ICRC and eleven other National Red Cross Societies. A team of approximately 30 medical professionals can care for up to 200 patients daily, providing services such as emergency surgeries and obstetric/gynecological, maternal, and newborn care. 📸: ICRC

The Canadian Red Cross is officially one of Canada’s Best Employers in 2024!👏 Forbes’ surveyed 40,000 people working for Canadian companies and institutions that employ at least 500 individuals and asked them to rate their employer from salary to benefits to work-life balance. Learn about all 300 organizations with the highest scores that made the Forbes final list: https://lnkd.in/eNHkCP5F Find our current job opportunities here: https://lnkd.in/ePk-v3G9

During conditions with heavy wildfire smoke, everyone is at risk regardless of their age or health. If possible: ✅ Limit outdoor activities and strenuous physical activities. ✅ Stay indoors. Learn the signs, symptoms, and how to respond to breathing emergencies due to poor air quality: https://brnw.ch/21wJR7f

In late April, a devastating fire occurred at the public hospital of Roatán in #Honduras, destroying nearly all the medical facilities. With the hospital being the city’s primary care centre, residents were at risk of having limited access to adequate healthcare. The Honduran Red Cross acted quickly by setting up health facilities to provide critical health-care support to the community. The rapid response by the Honduran Red Cross and the deployment of the field clinic currently operating in Roatán is the result of equipment handed over by the Canadian Red Cross following the response to hurricanes Eta and Iota in 2020. The initial deployment of the Canadian Red Cross field clinic, along with the transfer of equipment and technical knowledge to the Honduran Red Cross, was supported by Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada. Since then, our engagement with the Honduran Red Cross has continued, resulting in close partnership ties and sustained collaboration. As part of this ongoing collaboration, the Canadian Red Cross has contributed to the current Roatán response efforts through our International Disaster Relief Fund (IDRF). When we’re not fundraising for a specific emergency, donations to the IDRF give us the flexibility to quickly assist impacted communities by sending humanitarian experts, relief items and funding to the ground. Photo Credit: Honduras Red Cross

The presence of #wildfires and smoke can evoke a range of emotions. If you have been affected by a disaster or emergency, or even if you are concerned about one happening, you may feel increased distress. Taking small, positive steps can help you feel better and more in control. We've put together some information on how you can prepare, and tips for taking care of yourself and others when you are facing a disaster or emergency: Preparing for and Coping with Effects of an Emergency: https://lnkd.in/dKGc2TEG Coping With Crisis: https://lnkd.in/dSUmiv-2 Guide to Disaster Recovery for Parents and Caregivers: https://lnkd.in/dk2JeR82 More resources: https://lnkd.in/gGzkr4v4

With the health care system nearly collapsed in the entire Gaza Strip, the demand on facilities that are still able to function is immense. The Canadian Red Cross, together with the International Committee of the Red Cross - ICRC, the Norwegian Red Cross, and nine other National Red Cross Societies, has opened a field hospital in Rafah to help address some of the overwhelming medical needs. With funding from Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada, the Canadian Red Cross is supporting the field hospital with surgical equipment, medicines and supplies, diagnostic equipment, disinfection materials, and personnel. The field hospital will complement the work of the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) which has been providing emergency medical care to thousands of people since the escalation of hostilities. Attacks on medical facilities and personnel – including two hospitals run by PRCS – has dealt a devastating blow on the local health care system. According to the World Health Organization, only a third of the 36 hospitals in Gaza are able to function with limited capacity. Those that are still operational are overwhelmed with patients, limited supplies, and displaced people looking for safe shelter.

Meet Laurence, Program Manager for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation at the Canadian Red Cross 👏 Hear from Laurence on how we’re making an impact in this space ⤵️ “The Canadian Red Cross works to increase resilience of people in Canada to disaster risks resulting from hazards with a particular focus on those exacerbated by climate change, such as floods, wildfires, and heat. The Red Cross works alongside at-risk communities and subject-matter experts to develop and lead initiatives that promote greater awareness and practical actions to reduce risk, adapt to a changing climate, and prepare for an emergency. Through workshops, campaigns, events, and innovative community initiatives, the Red Cross helps communities cope with risks, adapt, and become more resilient. Working together to build a more resilient Canada!” Thank you to Laurence and our Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation Team for all their important work! Join us in showing appreciation below ❤️⬇️ #EPWeek2024

Meet Mindy Oiffer and Patricia Vargas, Canadian Red Cross Emergency Management volunteers in Ontario 👏 This Emergency Preparedness Week, Mindy and Patricia facilitated Be Ready Workshops in Bruce County to support household and individual resilience. Our Be Ready Workshops focus on: - Raising individual and household awareness of emergency preparedness. - Encouraging individuals and households to take action to prepare for emergencies. - Providing information on the four steps to be better prepared. - Increasing people and community resilience to disaster risk. Thank you Mindy and Patricia for your dedication in helping others be prepared!❤️ Learn more about our emergency preparedness resources: https://brnw.ch/21wJHtD #EPWeek2024

Ready Rating is a program that helps businesses, schools and organizations become prepared for disasters and other emergencies. ✅Access to one-of-a-kind tools ✅Resources for evaluating and improving your ability to withstand disaster ✅Achieve a higher level of preparedness ✅Free service Become a Ready Rating member today: www.readyrating.org #EPWeek2024

This #EPWeek2024 we would like to celebrate the Inclusive Resilience project — an initiative we have implemented over the past four years, thanks to funding from Public Safety Canada | Sécurité publique Canada and in collaboration with subject matter experts and community partners. The project identified effective ways to increase awareness of natural hazards, as well as practical preparedness actions for under-resourced and underserved populations to be #ReadyforAnything. It focused on Indigenous communities, older adults, newcomers to Canada, women and low-income Canadians, with in-person outreach activities conducted during non-emergency times. As part of this journey, we organized sharing workshops with the most recent one held this March focusing on lessons learned from the project's Indigenous initiatives. In a collaborative safe space, both participants and speakers had the opportunity to exchange insights and expertise on resilience, preparedness, climate change, and traditional knowledge. The workshop, hosted at the Indigenous-owned and operated Mādahòkì Farm (https://madahoki.ca), was a chance to listen intently to the voices of communities and partners to build a common ground. Panelist, Patrick Park-Tighe, Executive Director at People of the Dawn Indigenous Friendship Centre (PDIFC), praised the face-to-face engagement approach of the project. “This project has been a model of grassroots engagement and cultural inclusion and awareness. Both of which are essential to push back against the pervasive apathy or a lack of urgency in addressing the climate-related risks facing our communities today and tomorrow. We cannot improve our capacity for prevention without this kind of crucial dialogue and collaboration between Indigenous communities and other stakeholders.” Thank you to all participants for their generous and thoughtful contributions on this important topic. 👏 Public Safety Canada | Sécurité publique Canada Partners4Action Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre BC Earthquake Alliance Mādahòkì Farm (https://madahoki.ca) People of the Dawn Indigenous Friendship Centre (https://pdifc.com/) Penwaaq L’nu’k - Benoit First Nation Moose Cree First Nation