Read blog posts from the Canadian Red Cross about our international programs and relief efforts
I’ve just returned from a trip to West Bank to speak with colleagues from the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS). Despite the difficult circumstances the teams in West Bank and Gaza face every day, the staff and volunteers at PRCS remain incredibly committed to their humanitarian objectives.
During a recent trip to meet with the leadership of Magen David Adom (MDA) – the Red Cross of Israel – we spoke about the incredible power of volunteers. Like in Canada, the work done by MDA is made possible by the staff and volunteers who give of their time, even in incredibly difficult circumstances.
In January, I had the opportunity to travel to the Philippines with Kelsey Lemon, Vice President, International Cooperation at the Canadian Red Cross. The purpose of our visit was to reinforce shared commitments with the Philippine Red Cross, identify future opportunities, and gain a better understanding of the programs and strategic directions of the Philippine Red Cross.
Today, Olena Lysogorov lives with her daughter Tatiana and her two grandchildren in a shelter in Cherkasy. The shelter has been renovated by the Ukrainian Red Cross Society, with the support of the Canadian Red Cross, to welcome those displaced by the conflict. Originally from the Donetsk region, she was living in the town of Kramatorsk when an explosion destroyed her home three years ago.
The Canadian Red Cross has a long and proud history of women involved in its humanitarian services, with more than 100 years of providing help and hope. Today, women still play a vital role in the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, in Canada and around the world. To commemorate International Women’s Day, we want to celebrate an example of two women working, learning, and leading together.
Awni, his wife Tahrer, and their son Yehya are all members of the Palestine Red Crescent Society’s (PRCS) emergency medical response team. They begin each day not knowing whether it will be the last time they wish one another a safe shift. Since the escalation of hostilities in October 2023, their work has taken them into the heart of the destruction in Gaza, into the remains of what were once vibrant communities.
Over the last year, many countries in Eastern and Southern Africa have navigated cholera outbreaks due to weather-related issues like heavy rains, floods, and landslides. The Comoro Islands (Comoros), a small country made up of three islands in the Indian Ocean off the coast of East Africa, was among the countries that faced a cholera outbreak. In Comoros, a significant number of cholera cases affected children and youth.
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.
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.
