The Canadian Red Cross has adapted and persevered during the COVID-19 pandemic. I am so proud of all our staff and volunteers who worked very hard and resourcefully to revise many of our programs and services so they could be delivered safely in a virtual environment. Red Cross continued to assist people and communities in Alberta, across Canada, and around the world.
Red Cross responded to the pandemic in Alberta by working alongside the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) to support returning travelers at a Calgary isolation hotel site. Additionally, at the request of PHAC, the Red Cross helped provide self-administered COVID-19 tests at the Coutts land-border crossing and gave information to travellers and supported sample collection. Red Cross staff and volunteers, at the request of the provincial health authority, set up one of our emergency response units (ERU) in Edmonton on the University of Alberta campus. The ERU added health care system capacity if it was needed.
With funding from Indigenous Services Canada/First Nations Inuit Health Branch, Red Cross launched a virtual Help Desk so Indigenous leaders could access information and support for pandemic readiness in their communities. In Alberta, supplies, such as cots, blankets, hygiene kits and pillows, were also provided at the request of Indigenous communities. The Red Cross in Alberta is also working with First Nation and Metis communities to provide support for community risks and hazards, planning and preparedness.
During the pandemic response, spring flooding in Fort McMurray and the surrounding area, including Fort Vermilion, impacted more than 13,000 people. At the request of local authorities, Red Cross assisted people affected by the disaster with registration services, financial assistance, lodging, and other supports. This was the first major disaster response in Canada during the pandemic, and the Alberta team did an exemplary job supporting these communities.
Emergencies and disasters do not stop during a pandemic, and our emergency management staff and volunteers assisted more than 1,200 Albertans affected by personal disasters, such as house fires, with basic needs like shelter, food, and clothing.
Red Cross also remains committed to supporting Alberta communities with Disaster Risk Reduction initiatives, including emergency preparedness workshops for 166 people in 2020-21. With this ongoing work, we hope to help ensure people are better prepared for disruptive events and are better informed and resilient.
The Red Cross is a consistent national leader in First Aid and Water Safety programs and training. However, swimming and water safety activities were especially impacted by the pandemic due to facility closures. Still, more than 11,000 people participated in swimming and water safety courses. Several Indigenous communities were able to participate in virtual training for Stay Safe, Babysitting and Youth Leader courses. Additionally, more than 105,000 people learned first aid and updated their knowledge and skills.
Our Health Equipment Loan Program in Alberta continued to deliver a vital service to help decrease capacity in hospitals by supporting people’s safe recovery at home with temporary loans of more than 42,000 items, such as wheelchairs, walkers and bathroom aids. The program, like all others, adjusted its protocols and moved to an appointment-only process for the safety of community, staff, and volunteers.
I want to thank all Red Cross personnel in Alberta for their ongoing commitment to their communities and Red Cross. Now, more than ever, I am also so thankful for the continued support of all our partners and donors. Red Cross could not do it without you. Ongoing support from Albertans allows us to keep doing our work to assist community members who find themselves in challenging situations.
Jenn McManus
Vice President, Canadian Red Cross, Alberta, and Northwest Territories