Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic around the world. As some countries have begun loosening public health restrictions, others have experienced a surge in cases. No matter what the context, we’re committed to ensuring that the most vulnerable are protected during this global crisis. Here are just some of the ways the Red Cross doing that.
Canada:
In Québec the Canadian Red Cross has recently been asked to provide vital support to the personnel and residents in long-term care facilities by recruiting a ‘humanitarian workforce’ of francophone or bilingual Canadians who will offer comfort and care to residents. Learn more about the paid positions and how to join here.
Haiti:
Volunteers from the Haitian Red Cross in Croix-des-Prez, Port-au-Prince are being engaged to amplify public health messaging on handwashing, social distancing, symptoms of COVID-19, and what to do if you contract the virus. These activities are supported by the Canadian Red Cross through its emergency health program in Haiti.
Lebanon:
The Lebanese Red Cross is using their Mobile Health Units to provide care in isolated communities such as this one in the district of Tyre. They have also outfitted all their staff and volunteers working in the mobile clinic, as well as the Primary Healthcare Centres, with personal protective equipment. The Canadian Red Cross supports both the Lebanese Red Cross and Palestine Red Crescent in Lebanon to operate the Mobile Health Units and Primary Healthcare Centres across the country.
Belize:
The Red Cross in Belize is distributing food parcels to 2,500 families as part of their efforts in responding to COVID-19. The Belize Red Cross is also working in partnership with several government ministries and the Salvation Army to provide shelter and care to the homeless who are at increased risk due to the pandemic. The Canadian Red Cross is supporting these efforts through a project seeking to reinforce community resilience in the Carribean funded by Global Affairs Canada.
Suriname:
In Suriname, the Red Cross is spreading awareness on prevention and symptoms of COVID-19 by holding information sessions and distributing leaflets. They are also supporting government efforts around repatriation and providing assistance to those in quarantine. Thanks to financial support from Global Affairs Canada, the Canadian Red Cross is supporting these efforts and other initiatives to strengthen community resilience in the Caribbean.
Somaliland:
The Somali Red Crescent Society, with support from the Canadian Red Cross and Icelandic Red Cross, have set up hand washing stations and distributed soap at health clinics and Red Crescent branches around the country. They are also conducting an awareness campaign using loudspeakers mounted on vehicles and large billboards. As local Red Crescent volunteers are the first to respond to emergencies, including infectious disease like COVID-19, the Canadian Red Cross is also funding training on infection prevention control.
Kyrgyzstan:
A volunteer from the Kyrgyzstan Red Crescent unloads personal protective equipment provided by the International Committee of the Red Cross. Local volunteers provide their assistance not only to the general public but also to hospitals, which are now on the front line and need support in the fight of the COVID-19.
Kenya:
Kenya has seen increasing numbers of cases of COVID-19 in recent weeks, and Kenya Red Cross Society teams in the field take every opportunity to promote preventative and mitigation measures. Here, volunteers are visiting Wakulima Market in Nairobi and other communities to communicate the risks associated with COVID-19 and engage them in the fight against the virus, as well share safety tips such as proper handwashing.
The Red Cross and Red Crescent remain dedicated to providing vital assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic, in Canada and around the world. Do your part by following local public health recommendations. Together we can reduce suffering around the world.
The Canadian Red Cross has launched a recruitment campaign to build a humanitarian workforce of 900 people to work in long-term care homes in Quebec. For more information and to apply, visit redcross.ca/ltc
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