News and events

March 11, 2013 - Grief remains but smiles return after the tsunami

Two years after the earthquake and tsunami, recovery is well underway in communities along Japan’s north east coast. Although emotions remain raw for families of the 20,000 who lost their lives, Japanese Red Cross psychosocial support staff report that in general, the people they are working with now seem happier and more active.

February 8, 2013 - Staying safe on the roads

Every year, winter weather is a factor in thousands of motor vehicle collisions. Yet many of these could be avoided by exercising caution and planning ahead during the winter months. As the winter continues, and many regions may be affected by harsh weather conditions, the Red Cross urges Canadians to be cautious while driving.

December 13, 2012 - Keep your home safe from fires during this holiday season

Canadian Red Cross volunteers respond to a disaster in Canada on average five times a day. The majority of these disasters are house fires. The holiday period is a particularly vulnerable time, as many Canadians have extra lights and candles burning on and around the Christmas tree.

November 27, 2012 - Canadian Red Cross volunteer saves New Jersey man from choking

Susan Mackenzie, a Canadian Red Cross disaster volunteer from Calgary, has been working in a shelter at Monmouth Park Raceway in Oceanport, New Jersey.

November 16, 2012 - Avoid the flu this season

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a highly contagious respiratory infection that can pose serious health risks and even death. According to Health Canada, flu season usually runs from November until April, and an estimated 10 to 25 per cent of Canadians could have the flu each year.

November 15, 2012 - Last-minute vacation turns a truck driver into a hero

Dave Redl says he wasn’t even supposed to be there. The truck driver from Manitoba should have been in Winnipeg on Canada day, 2012 but plans changed at the last minute and he found himself in Kenora, Ontario with a group of friends. When they arrived, they decided to go swimming.

November 1, 2012 - CPR saves lives—one first aid trainer’s personal story

It’s been five years since Karen Syndenham performed CPR on Chris van der Merwe but she can still remember the details as if it were yesterday.

October 30, 2012 - What to do if the power goes out

Power outages due to storms like Sandy can last days or even weeks. You may be left without heating, lighting, hot water, or even running water. According to recent polling by the Red Cross, 41 per cent of Canadians have experienced a loss of electricity for more than 72 hours. This is the most commonly reported disaster experienced by Canadians.

October 26, 2012 - Staying safe during ‘Frankenstorm’

The rare combination of what’s left of hurricane Sandy and a winter storm are expected to join forces and bring a "Frankenstorm" to parts of eastern Canada this weekend.

October 24, 2012 - 10 tips for a safe Halloween

The day that paranormal creatures invade city streets is near.

October 19, 2012 - Cyberbullying - let’s make it stop

The tragic death of Amanda Todd, the teenager in British Columbia who was subjected to cyberbullying and who took her life last week, has saddened people across the country, including those of us at the Canadian Red Cross.

September 7, 2012 - Staying safe during a hurricane

As Atlantic Canada braces itself for Hurricane Leslie, the Canadian Red Cross is reminding Canadians that they can prepare for hurricanes by ensuring emergency preparedness kits are up to date, and by following the tips below:

August 30, 2012 - Restoring Family Links: International Day of the Disappeared

In times of conflict, migration and disaster, family members can become separated from each other, creating chaos, confusion, questions and unknown answers. The Canadian Red Cross Restoring Family Links Program helps people in Canada re-establish contact with immediate family members after separation occurs in these types of humanitarian crises.

August 23, 2012 - Canadians more concerned with safety in backyard pools than boating

Each summer, tragic and preventable deaths occur in backyard pools across Canada. A recent poll conducted by the Canadian Red Cross shows that 70 per cent of Canadians say they would be concerned about their children playing in a backyard that has a pool, even if their children know how to swim.

August 16, 2012 - Traveling and talking boating safety

Andrew Byrne and Nik Himmelman are traveling across the province of Nova Scotia this summer talking about water safety. They are two out of eight summer students hired across the Atlantic Provinces as boating safety officers with funding from Transport Canada.

August 13, 2012 - Saving Lives with Lifejacket Loans

Lifejackets cost money. That’s one of the biggest barriers that prevent people from using them, according to Aileen Nauss, Red Cross Water Safety Technical Associate for Atlantic Canada. That’s why the region instituted a free lifejacket loan program three years ago that keeps growing every year.

August 9, 2012 - Canadian Red Cross volunteer day at Walmart

Canadian Red Cross volunteers will be mobilizing across Canada on Saturday, August 11 to help Canadians in a new capacity. For the first time, volunteers will be visiting most Walmart stores across the country to greet customers, help bag items at the check out and assist shoppers with their purchases.

August 2, 2012 - Walmart Canada launches campaign to support the Canadian Red Cross

What would you do if disaster struck your community? As thousands of Canadians have already found out this year, the Canadian Red Cross is there to help. From floods in Western Canada, to fires in Northern Ontario, the Canadian Red Cross has provided invaluable support to those affected by disaster.

July 18, 2012 - Canadian Red Cross responds to Johnson’s Landing landslide and storms across British Columbia

The Canadian Red Cross is actively responding to meet the needs of families affected by a devastating landslide in Johnson’s Landing, near Kaslo, British Columbia, that destroyed four homes, and helping communities across the province affected by other landslides, floods, and ongoing severe storms.

July 6, 2012 - Open Water Wisdom Campaign: Keeping communities safe

The Canadian Red Cross and Lifesaving Society have teamed up with the Public Health Agency of Canada in an attempt to reduce drowning and water-related injuries in Northern communities across Canada.

June 29, 2012 - Red Cross responding to flooding in British Columbia

Heavy rain and flash floods have had a devastating impact for families in Bristish Columbia’s Shuswap region. To date, 350 homes have been impacted - some washed away - along with massive damage to vehicles, roads, bridges and infrastruture. Families are in need of immediate assistance.

June 20, 2012 - Red Cross wants you to stay cool and safe this summer

On this hot, first day of summer, the Red Cross offers you some tips to beat the heat and have a fun and safe summer!

June 14, 2012 - New Guinness World Record attempted for World’s Largest Swimming Lesson

More than 50 third grade children in Hampton, New Brunswick jumped in the town’s only pool today to learn to swim. They joined thousands of other people from all over the world at 11am EST to attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for the world’s largest swim lesson. 

June 8, 2012 - Red Cross assisting flood-stricken families in Thunder Bay

The Canadian Red Cross continues to work on the ground in Thunder Bay, Ontario, providing urgently-needed relief to families whose homes have been devastated by flooding that occurred more than a week ago.

May 25, 2012 - Red Cross preparing to assist Northern Ontario communities affected by forest fires

There is currently a serious risk of fire near several Northern Ontario communities and the Red Cross is working closely with local and provincial authorities to make plans in the event a community needs to be evacuated.

May 15, 2012 - Value of Volunteers: Northern Alberta Wildfires Response

When the Canadian Red Cross was alerted that help was needed with the northern Alberta wildfires, it responded by first calling in local teams. As the magnitude of the disaster became apparent, the Red Cross quickly pulled in people from its vast resource of volunteers across Canada.

May 4, 2012 - Emergency Preparedness Week

Emergency Preparedness Week (EP Week) is an annual event that takes place each year during the first full week of May. This national event is an opportunity for the Canadian Red Cross to remind families to plan for emergencies.

April 23, 2012 - Red Cross announced as associate member of International Life Saving Federation

The Canadian Red Cross is pleased to announce their application as an Associate Member to the Board of Directors of the International Life Saving Federation was approved and fully supported by the Board of the Royal Lifesaving Society of Canada (RLSC).

February 29, 2012 - Iqaluit apartment fire response

During the night on Sunday, February 26, 2012, the occupants of a 22 unit townhouse complex in Iqaluit, Nunavut were forced from their homes with only the clothes on their back. A fire consumed the entire building burning it to the ground.

December 10, 2011 - Canadian Red Cross meets the immediate needs in Attawapiskat

Through the generous support of Canadians, the Canadian Red Cross is able to meet the immediate needs of the most vulnerable families in Attawapiskat and the Attawapiskat fund is now closed.

November 17, 2011 - Six months since Slave Lake wildfires

It has been six months since Slave Lake and surrounding areas were devastated by raging wildfires. Since recovery operations began on June 6, the Canadian Red Cross has assisted over 3,000 people and distributed more than $600,000 in direct aid to individuals and families.

September 21, 2011 - Hurricane Igor Anniversary a Reminder to be Ready

The Canadian Red Cross is reminding Atlantic Canadians about the importance of being prepared for severe weather during the hurricane season, which has been particularly active in 2011.

July 8, 2011 - Duke and Duchess of Cambridge thank Canadian Red Cross volunteers for response efforts in Slave Lake

Residents in the fire-ravaged town of Slave Lake got the royal treatment on Wednesday, July 6 as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge made an unscheduled stop on their cross-Canada tour.

June 28, 2011 - Benefit concert raises $150,000 for Red Cross response in Slave Lake

Wildfires have ravaged parts of the Town of Slave Lake and the surrounding communities, but they have not quelled the courage of local residents nor the generosity of Albertans wanting to help. Tom Jackson’s June 15th benefit concert has raised nearly $150,000 in support of Red Cross response operations.

May 20, 2011 - Fleeing the flames in Slave Lake

The Athabasca Multiplex houses hundreds of families forced from their homes in and around Slave Lake, Alberta when wildfires swept through the region. Inside the shelter there are rows of cots, food tables, crisis counsellors and first aid stations.

May 19, 2011 - Financial donations the best way to support Red Cross efforts in Alberta

As wildfires continue to burn out of control in Alberta, the Canadian Red Cross is appealing for financial support to help the thousands of families forced from their homes.

May 11, 2011 - Supporting families in Manitoba now and the months ahead

The Canadian Red Cross continues to help flood-affected families in Manitoba. Brandon, the second largest city in the province, is the latest community threatened, with hundreds of people evacuated.

April 29, 2011 - Families affected by prairie floods can count on the Canadian Red Cross

The Canadian Red Cross is actively responding to floods in the prairies. After a harsh winter, the spring is bringing with it warm weather causing snow to melt and rivers to rise. Close to 5,000 people are affected; many forced to leave their homes.

April 27, 2011 - Canadian Red Cross in Manitoba: We’re here to help

Heather Thompson is a Canadian Red Cross volunteer in Winnipeg, Manitoba and is assisting families forced to leave their homes due to flooding in the province. The Canadian Red Cross is working within the provincial flood response team by providing trained volunteers to register evacuees.

March 31 2011 - Canadian Red Cross responds to massive apartment fire in Iqaluit

On March 24th, 24 families were forced from their homes as flames consumed their apartment building, leaving them with little more than what they were wearing.

January 14, 2011 - The Canadian Red Cross urges flu prevention

The Canadian Red Cross is encouraging preventative techniques to protect against illnesses such as the flu.

December 18, 2010 - The Canadian Red Cross responds as snowy weather and fires affect thousands in Ontario

The Canadian Red Cross responds to natural disasters around the world and close to home. In fact, this December, the Canadian Red Cross has supported thousands of Canadians throughout Ontario facing snow and fire related emergencies.

October 6, 2010 - Red Cross assists evacuated travelers and opens Resilience Centre in Bella Coola

The Canadian Red Cross continues to respond to recent flooding in British Columbia. Hundreds of people have been affected by the flooding, which has damaged property and infrastructure, forcing people from their homes and stranding travelers.

September 24, 2010 - Red Cross response to Hurricane Igor is ongoing

Disaster volunteers and staff with the Canadian Red Cross continue to assist municipal authorities and individuals in areas of Newfoundland and Labrador impacted since by hurricane Igor.