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Recently, Red Cross provided assistance to a family in Saskatchewan who survived a catastrophic house fire. The family was barbecuing on their deck. The son stepped out to check on dinner but hesitated when he reached the grill. The barbecue seemed far too hot, so he returned to the kitchen to fetch some oven mitts. Just as he crossed the threshold, the propane tank exploded.

Shawn Gervais and his family received two alerts on their cell phones before the tornado hit – one warned them of high winds, the next one told them to take shelter immediately. Now the family is recovering from the disaster, with help from the Canadian Red Cross. 

Many of you come to us during disasters with offers of support and donations, but also with questions about how the Red Cross helps in the immediate aftermath of an emergency. We hope this information will help in understanding what type of assistance we provide.

Find out what type of volunteering position you would be great for and join the largest humanitarian organization in the world. We have tons of interesting opportunities available, find out which one would be ideal for you! 

Joanne Abshire repense au moment où elle a décidé de soutenir la Croix-Rouge en voyant la dévastation causée par le typhon Haiyan. Aujourd’hui membre du Mouvement de la Croix-Rouge, elle peut constater par elle-même le travail que continue d’accomplir l’organisation aux Philippines. 
 

Tamara Begin, a medical logistician from Canada, shares her experience working at the Red Cross Red Crescent field hospital near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. The field hospital opened one year ago, to provide health care to the more than 700,000 people who fled violence in neighbouring Myanmar. 

Red Crosser Joanne Abshire looks back on Typhoon Haiyan, and how she chose to help following the disaster. Now a member of the Red Cross, Joanne looks at how we are still working in the Philippines. 

In the early days of a disaster, Red Cross communications aid workers are under immense pressure to respond. These early days are also a key time for communications aid workers to reach the media to harness the public’s attention and increase donations, which have a big impact on the disaster assistance that the Red Cross can provide. That’s why the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) held its first-ever international emergency communications training in Finland in September.