The Canadian Red Cross provided support in 2021-22 for several COVID-19 pandemic responses in the Northwest Territories. As well, discussions were held with all levels of government and Indigenous leadership about future partnerships and expansion in such areas as emergency preparedness, recovery, resiliency, and health. This period continued to demonstrate the commitment of Red Cross to helping strengthen communities in the territory.
Following severe flooding in the Fort Simpson area in May 2021, the Red Cross was invited by the Lı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation and Village of Fort Simpson to meet with local leadership. A Red Cross team travelled to the community to discuss the impact of the disaster and potential future collaborations. As a result, training workshops were later held in the community on disaster risk reduction, resiliency, and psychological first aid. As well, the first municipal agreement with Red Cross in the N.W.T. was signed with the Village of Fort Simpson.
The Red Cross provided support during the
COVID-19 pandemic at the request of the Northwest Territories government and thanks to funding from Public Safety Canada. Red Cross support included medical personnel offering surge capacity, testing and vaccination support; non-clinical emergency care workers and emotional support staff to assist with COVID-19 efforts at a temporary shelter in Yellowknife; and epidemic prevention and control expertise at several N.W.T. community facilities, such as long-term care centres, shelters, testing sites and other community hubs.
