International Disaster Relief Fund
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Child waits at a Red Cross mobile medical unit | |
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Red Cross workers bring much needed relief supplies to Typhoon Ketsana survivors in Vietnam. | |
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Each year, disasters devastate millions of people around the world and are increasing in frequency and severity. Houses are destroyed, roads are washed away and livelihoods are ruined. But when disaster strikes, the Red Cross is there to help.
Our ability to respond immediately following a disaster with much needed supplies and personnel is essential for saving lives and minimizing the impact of disasters on vulnerable communities.
At any given time, the Red Cross is responding to multiple disasters. We are currently supporting communities in the Asia-Pacific region who experienced several near-simultaneous disasters this fall. We are also helping communities in El Salvador where homes were flooded or washed away following Tropical Storm Ida.
The International Disaster Relief Fund (IDRF) allows us to respond within hours of an emergency, well before any money has been received from supporters. It also allows us to implement disaster preparedness programs to create stronger and more resilient communities.
Disasters continue to strike and our International Disaster Relief Fund is quickly becoming depleted. This fund provides an essential lifeline to people when they need our help most.
Help us be ready for the next call for help.
Canadians wishing to support the humanitarian relief efforts of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement around the world are encouraged to make a financial donation. Donations to the Canadian Red Cross IDRF will help provide the survivors of disasters with urgently needed food, shelter, first aid, basic health care and medical supplies.
Please give generously. Your help can’t wait.
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In-kind donations of food, clothing and other items, while well intentioned, are not the best way to help those in need. There are tremendous processing and transportation costs involved in shipping these items to beneficiaries. Local purchases of food and clothing are more culturally appropriate and effective. Red Cross supplies can be purchased in the immediate area, thereby reducing transportation costs. Cash transfers to the affected region provide the optimum flexibility to our Red Cross colleagues so they can meet the most urgent needs.
