Emergency 6

It’s been called the “shadow pandemic.” As millions of people around the world continue to deal with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, including lockdowns and changes to regular services, incidents of sexual- and gender-based violence (SGBV) have increased worldwide.

The Canadian Red Cross is working to enhance the capacity of the Mali Red Cross in developing and implementing programs to help communities become stronger, healthier, and more resilient. This led the Canadian Red Cross team in Mali, in partnership with the Mali Red Cross and the MHSD, to launch a component of a project for people with disabilities.

"It was fast and painless. Took at most 15 minutes. Provided peace of mind that I was not asymptomatic and potentially spreading the virus."
That is how one staff member with Calgary Humane Society (CHS) described their experience taking a COVID-19 rapid antigen test as part of the Canadian Red Cross Stop the Spread and Stay Safe! program.

Whether you are experiencing this week’s flooding, landslides and extreme weather in British Columbia first-hand or are watching it unfold through social media and television screens, there’s no denying the sheer devastation it has caused.

When lightning strikes, disaster can follow in mere minutes. Elizabeth, her husband, four children and family dog escaped a sudden home fire, and were grateful for the support of the Red Cross Personal Disaster Assistance Team in Prince Albert, SK. 

More than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, some countries are now experiencing devastating second, third, and fourth waves of the virus. While the quick development of vaccines is positive news, COVID-19 remains an ongoing crisis and its effects will still be seen for years to come. Here are some examples of how Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies continue to provide support.

Although the staff at Theatre Gargantua in Toronto picked up some interesting hobbies and pastimes during the early stages of lockdown, they were eager to get back to the stage. When they were able to do so, Theatre Gargantua quickly applied for and adopted the Stop the Spread program to ensure that their staff and audience would feel safe and comfortable getting back to live theatre.

Providing a safe place to people in need of shelter, Embrave Agency to End Violence could not even consider closing due to the pandemic. Instead, they looked for ways to keep operating safely, for clients and staff, implementing many safety measures, including the Canadian Red Cross Stop the Spread program.