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Many Canadians don't know the risks in their community, so recently Canadian Red Cross volunteers went door-to-door in communities to share information to spread awareness about risks like fires and floods, and the actions residents can take to prepare for potential disasters and emergencies. 

Lors de catastrophes majeures, vous êtes nombreux à nous écrire pour nous offrir votre aide, sous forme de dons ou comme bénévole. Nous sommes toujours profondément touchés par votre bel élan de générosité envers les personnes sinistrées. Notre longue expérience des catastrophes nous a appris comment maximiser l’impact de l’aide apportée.

Pour comprendre de quelle façon le bénévolat peut devenir un tremplin professionnel, nous avons interviewé Esther Laforte, qui détient plus de 20 ans d’expérience en gestion des urgences et aux ressources bénévoles. Elle est directrice du Service des Ressources bénévoles de la Croix-Rouge canadienne au Québec.  
 

At the Rigaud public library, a dozen people impacted by the floods have come to meet Red Cross volunteers in order to register and receive emergency assistance. In the waiting room, the mood is unpredictable. Laughter can quickly give way to sorrow, and for good reason. This is the second flood in three years for most of the residents here.

One of the best ways to be flood ready is to have an emergency kit in your home with enough supplies to meet your family’s needs for at least 72 hours. Most people remember to put the basics in their kit like, a first aid kit, non-perishable food, and water but there are things you may not think to include that you and your family need.

À la bibliothèque municipale de Rigaud, une douzaine de sinistrés sont venus rencontrer les bénévoles de la Croix-Rouge afin de s’inscrire et de recevoir une aide d’urgence.
 
Dans la salle d’attente, l’humeur est changeante. Tantôt on rigole, tantôt on se désole. Pour cause : la majorité des résidents présents en sont à leur deuxième inondation en trois ans.
 

In Ethiopia, volunteers are being trained as branch disaster response team members, to help build the Ethiopian Red Cross' capacity to respond to disasters and emergencies. A key part of this includes having impacted communities participate in all stages of the response - that way, the help being provided is the help that is the most needed. 

Yasmine Farret is a Risk Management and Security Advisor at the Canadian Red Cross. Through her young career, Yasmine has demonstrated her passion for humanitarian work through her dedication and work ethic. Yasmine kindly agreed to tell us more about her journey and her career.