International Aid Work

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Responding to the severe and ongoing drought in the Horn of Africa

Farmers tend to livestock

Across the Horn of Africa, severe ongoing drought is reshaping the lives of millions as the lack of water destroys livelihoods, causes mass migration, and is the reason for increasing malnutrition. Read how the Somali Red Crescent is working to help where it is most needed. 

Farmers tend to livestock

Read about humanitarian worker and author France Hurtubise

France is wearing glasses and an orange vest while smiling at the camera in an outdoor setting

France Hurtubise, a retired Communications delegate living in Montréal, looks back on her experience in the humanitarian sector and shares her story with us. Over the course of 25 years working abroad, France traveled to four continents and worked in countries heavily impacted by conflicts and disasters. In May 2022, she published “Grandeur et dénuement”, an account of her years with the Red Cross (ICRC, IFRC and CRC) and the UN.

France is wearing glasses and an orange vest while smiling at the camera in an outdoor setting

Life-Changing Support During Trying Times: Cash and Voucher Assistance in Haiti

Devastation on a beach in Haiti

As of early 2023, Haiti continues to experience a major security, social, economic, and public health crisis. Despite the deteriorating security situation, namely tied to armed violence, the Red Cross continues its essential work in support of the people of Haiti. One approach we have taken is providing direct financial assistance for the people who are still recovering from the 2021 Earthquake. To date, the Cash and Voucher Assistance program has enabled 1,400 households in the municipalities of Corail and Pestel, in Grande Anse, to meet their essential humanitarian needs and provides much needed relief during these difficult times.

Devastation on a beach in Haiti

What responding to emergencies in Canada and West Africa taught me

Sarah Parisio walking in flooded water with 3 Red Cross members

Sarah Parisio's role within the Canadian Red Cross involves supporting people impacted by disasters through leading teams of fellow humanitarians who respond to emergencies in Canada and around the world. Discover how she brought with her skills developed through responding to emergencies in Canada to an international context and what new knowledge she brought back home in return.

Sarah Parisio walking in flooded water with 3 Red Cross members

Trial and triumph in Lebanon: Canadians’ generosity making an impact a world away

Two women speak in the foreground while children play on a large colourful mat in the background

Lebanon has been facing an evolving and complex humanitarian crisis for several years, generating widespread and growing needs for humanitarian assistance. The people of Lebanon are the ones bearing the brunt of the impact of a series of devastating crises: a complex economic and financial crisis, which has been exacerbated by COVID-19 and the explosion that rocked the Port of Beirut on August 4, 2020.

Two women speak in the foreground while children play on a large colourful mat in the background

Photos from a hunger crisis

A man in a Red Cross vest walking across cracked, dry land.

In East Africa, tens of millions of people are in dire need of food as a series of disasters from climate change, conflict, the COVID-19 pandemic, a locust invasion, and longstanding vulnerabilities have converged into a humanitarian crisis. Time is running out to avert starvation. Unless urgent action is taken, the continued drought in East Africa could come to resemble the one in 2011, which killed about 260,000 people in Somalia.

A man in a Red Cross vest walking across cracked, dry land.

How the Red Cross helps to protect and build communities after a disaster

Two men on the roof of a house take a break from working to repair their home

In 2019, Hurricane Dorian destroyed the homes of some 70,000 people in the Bahamas. Learn how a Red Cross humanitarian worker helped those in some of the most vulnerable situations rebuild using an innovative and empowering approach.

Two men on the roof of a house take a break from working to repair their home

The shadow pandemic: Increased sexual- and gender-based violence during COVID-19

Two women standing in conversation, both with masks on while one is wearing a Canadian Red Cross shirt

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.

Two women standing in conversation, both with masks on while one is wearing a Canadian Red Cross shirt

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About The Blog

The purpose of this blog, quite simply, is to talk. This blog is an opportunity for Red Cross staff, volunteers, supporters and friends to share stories about what is happening in your community and the important work you are doing. It is a tool that will help keep all of us connected.

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