Montreal, January 8, 2013 – The Red Cross provides numerous humanitarian services throughout Quebec as part of a threefold process: before, during and after a disaster. This ensures that the Red Cross is always there to support Quebec families. "Everyday in Quebec, teams of volunteer responders are mobilized to help people affected by disasters. This past year, Red Cross action made a difference in the lives of nearly 5000 people, including thousands of children, who were impacted by disasters."
While giving a yearly account of the organization’s responses, Michel Léveillé, General Manager of the Canadian Red Cross, Quebec Division, took the opportunity to mention that although Red Cross action during disasters is essential, it is only made possible through emergency preparedness, in which the Red Cross must invest to ensure it is ready at all times.
In addition to recruiting, training and maintaining teams of volunteer responders throughout Quebec’s territory, every year, the Red Cross helps some 200,000 Quebecers prepare for emergencies through first aid and water safety programs as well as public preparedness and civil protection training. "In a context where violent weather events, such as last fall’s Hurricane Sandy in the Caribbean and United Stares, are increasingly frequent, being able to recognize emergency situations and knowing how to react to them so that recovery is optimized becomes that much more important", declared the General Manager.
About the Red Cross in Quebec
In Quebec, the Red Cross does what is does throughout the world: provide human and material support to those who have lost everything. The Red Cross responds on average three times a day to provide emergency assistance to thousands of people. Volunteers are motivated by a desire to help their neighbour; however, it is the population's generosity that enables their action. You can donate to the Red Cross Quebec Disaster Management Fund by dialing 1 800 418-1111 or visit www.croixrouge.ca.