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Media Information Update: Emergencies on the Radar - International

Topics: Emergencies and Disasters Worldwide 
OTTAWA | December 17, 2025

In this issue:

The Canadian Red Cross Emergencies on the Radar provides updates on international responses and support provided to people impacted around the world.


Hurricane Melissa 

The devastating effects of Hurricane Melissa continue to impact people in countries in the Caribbean.

In response, the Canadian Red Cross opened the Hurricane Melissa Appeal to help those impacted by the hurricane in the Caribbean.

In Jamaica, 1.5 million people have lost their access to healthcare. Many homes and other critical infrastructure have been destroyed. People need basic supplies, including hygiene kits, blankets and mosquito nets.

The Canadian Red Cross is working closely with Jamaica Red Cross and has provided:

  • More than 18,000 emergency aid items, including menstrual hygiene management kits, hygiene parcels, shelter toolkits and mosquito nets, provided by the Government of Canada.
  • A multidisciplinary team of Red Cross medical and humanitarian experts to complement and strengthen the work of the Jamaica Red Cross.

This humanitarian aid is possible thanks to the generous support of Canadian donors and Global Affairs Canada.

In Cuba, more than 53,000 people are still out of their homes. The Red Cross is providing mental health supports to people impacted and is helping to reunite families separated by the storm. Access to safe drinking water and functioning toilets is severely limited. Healthcare facilities, schools and crops have all been negatively impacted.

The Canadian Red Cross, with the support of Global Affairs Canada, is sending medical supplies and medicine to help the Cuban Red Cross respond to this disaster.

More information on the response to Hurricane Melissa can be found here


Marburg Outbreak – Ethiopia

An outbreak of the highly transmissible Marburg virus, which is in the same virus family as Ebola, is impacting parts of Ethiopia. In some areas impacted by the virus, there is limited access to healthcare, clean water and sanitation.

The Canadian Red Cross is providing safe and dignified burial kits, which include disposable gowns, masks, gloves, and stretchers. The support also includes the deployment of an emergency health coordinator to assist with the response.

Thanks to Global Affairs Canada, the Canadian Red Cross is providing support to the Ethiopian Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.


Somalia Emergency

In the Somaliland and Puntland regions of Somalia, more than 2.5 million people have been impacted by a humanitarian crisis that has worsened in recent months by drought, food and water shortages, disease outbreaks, and collapsing healthcare systems.

The Canadian Red Cross has partnered with the Somali Red Crescent Society in Somaliland for eight years, working on preparedness. The Canadian Red Cross is now providing support to seven health clinics in areas with the most critical healthcare gaps.


Photos and Video Content

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About the Canadian Red Cross:

Here in Canada and overseas, the Red Cross stands ready to help people before, during and after a disaster. As a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement – which is made up of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and 191 national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies – the Canadian Red Cross is dedicated to helping people and communities in Canada and around the world in times of need, and supporting them in strengthening their resilience.

MEDIA CONTACTS

English Media: media@redcross.ca and 1-877-599-9602
French Media: communication@croixrouge.ca and 1-888-418-9111