Across Quebec, the Red Cross' humanitarian mission is realized through numerous activities such as emergency assistance to those affected by disasters, swimming and water safety courses, first aid courses and disaster preparedness. "The Annual Operational Report clearly demonstrates that the Red Cross is ready to deal with any emergency situation, regardless of the scale. While hundreds of volunteers were mobilized to Lac-Mégantic this summer, the Red Cross continued to provide crucial emergency assistance at the site of dozens more disasters throughout the province," mentioned Michel Léveillé, Director General, Canadian Red Cross, Quebec Division. In the entire province, the Red Cross has nearly 5500 volunteers, including 1500 that are fully trained to assist those affected by disasters.
Always There During Emergency Situations
When things are turning upside down during an emergency, the Red Cross is there. Volunteers are mobilized to the site of the event. The people affected by the disaster receive emergency assistance (lodging, food and emergency clothing) for three days, or more if necessary, so that they can breathe a little and begin taking steps to get their life back to normal. A disaster may affect a single person, a family or an entire community, as it did in Lac-Mégantic. The Red Cross is always there thanks to the teams of volunteers in place in every MRC.
Present Everywhere in Quebec
In addition to the major operation that is still underway in Lac-Mégantic, Red Cross volunteers were mobilized 912 times throughout Quebec to provide emergency assistance to 4082 people, including 751 children. "The Red Cross' objective is not to respond more frequently. Let's not forget that behind every response statistic there is a human tragedy. Rather, our goal is to always be prepared to help," insisted Mr. Léveillé.
|
Details by region |
Number of responses |
Number of people assisted (children) |
|
Bas-Saint-Laurent |
22 |
66 (14) |
|
Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean |
46 |
205 (36) |
|
Capitale-Nationale |
62 |
455 (93) |
|
Mauricie |
36 |
170 (27) |
|
Estrie |
34 |
136 (32) |
|
Montreal |
235 |
906 (178) |
|
Outaouais |
53 |
168 (27) |
|
Abitibi-Témiscamingue |
18 |
85 (13) |
|
Côte-Nord |
11 |
35 (11) |
|
Nord-du-Québec |
0 |
0 |
|
Gaspésie-Iles-de-la-Madeleine |
31 |
103 (20) |
|
Chaudière-Appalaches |
53 |
255 (53) |
|
Laval |
14 |
106 (10) |
|
Lanaudière |
71 |
225 (46) |
|
Laurentides |
60 |
239 (36) |
|
Montérégie |
133 |
840 (140) |
|
Centre-du-Québec |
33 |
88 (15) |
|
Total for Quebec as a whole |
912 |
4082 (751) |
The Red Cross Takes Preventive Action
The Red Cross also helps the public prepare for emergency situations through its swimming and water safety courses as well as through first aid training. For example, last year, 58,634 people received general, specialized or advanced first aid training, among them, thousands of young peoplesavers and babysitters, and 204,285 people, mostly kids ranging from 6 to 11 years, took a water safety course.
Vital Support
The Red Cross is able to respond anywhere, at any time, from the very onset of a disaster, like the one in Lac-Mégantic, thanks to the donations it receives all year long. Throughout Quebec, volunteers organize yearly fundraising campaigns and donor generosity is the key to helping people right here at home.