If a picture is worth 1,000 words, then 2014 was a year filled with photos that told a story all on their own.
From the shores of British Columbia to the typhoon-ravaged streets of the Philippines, and the disease- stricken communities in West Africa, join us as we take a look back at our top five photos of the year.
1. Photos: Young Faces of Typhoon Haiyan Relief
February 20, 2014
A man holds his child outside the Canadian Red Cross field hospital in Ormoc, Philippines, after Typhoon Haiyan tore through their home in late 2013. The Red Cross field hospital assisted the district hospital, which had been severely damaged by the typhoon. In a compilation of photos taken in the first three months after the typhoon hit the Philippines, this image shows the courage and strength of the Filipino people and the young faces of its future.
Photo credit: Stephen Ryan, Irish Red Cross
2. Photos: Red Cross delivering aid after Balkan floods
May 26, 2014
In this photo a Red Cross volunteer gives comfort to a woman affected by flooding in Bosnia and Herzegovina. As the Red Cross provided assistance to those affected by the Balkan floods, staff and volunteers from local branches quickly deployed resources to help. Support was also received from sister Red Cross and Red Crescent societies around the world. Throughout the response, Red Cross volunteers were busy providing shelter, blankets, hygiene supplies, food and drinking water to affected communities. Though in some cases, a hug is what was needed most.
Photo credit: Nicole Robicheau, Canadian Red Cross
3. Photo of the Day: Support for Displaced in Iraq
July 14, 2014
Ongoing violence in Iraq has made it extremely difficult for the people of this nation. With power cuts, system breakdowns and fuel shortages, there was a major impact on the water supply to many regions. In this photo, Iraqi Red Crescent volunteers distribute water in Sinjar, Iraq. Often, these young volunteers work long days to ensure help gets to all those who need it desperately.
Photo credit: Ibrahim Malla, IFRC
4. Disaster-ready in British Columbia
October 16, 2014
Deploying delegates into the field requires a lot of meticulous preparation and teamwork. This photo provides a behind-the-scenes look at the ERU (Emergency Response Unit) training that took place in Victoria, BC. Here, we see two delegates receiving their first simulated patient at the ERU. This training prepares medical personnel, technicians, psychosocial support, administrative and communications delegates so they can be ready to deploy with the ERU.
Photo credit: Sara Falconer, Canadian Red Cross
5. Helping People to Hope: Canadian Nurse Writes from Ebola Treatment Centre in Sierra Leone
December 12, 2014
Patrice Gordon, a Canadian nurse who was deployed to Kenema, Sierra Leone, wears what she calls the “space-suit.” In this photo, Patrice holds a one-month-old baby girl who has tested positive for Ebola. Patrice writes that they “are helping people to still hope, when they have many reasons to feel hopeless.” This photo captures the very essence of her words.
Photo credit: Patrice Gordon, Canadian Red Cross delegate