Day 38: The Red Cross
Day 38: The Red Cross
Website: http://www.redcross.org.uk/ (This is the website for the British Red Cross)
The Red Cross is a volunteer-led humanitarian organisation that helps people in crisis "whoever and wherever they are". They describe their work as "We enable vulnerable people at home and overseas to prepare for and respond to emergencies in their own communities. And when the crisis is over, we help people recover and move on with their lives."
The Red Cross have a fairly diverse remit, actually covering more sorts of crisis that I had realised. I was aware of their work in war zones (with the famous 'don't shoot at a red cross' as they protect people in conflict and offer refugee services) and as an emergency response force in natural disasters - but I had not ever really thought about their role in preparing for disasters or in finding missing family, both of which are apparentlyimportant parts of their work! Likewise I knew that they offer first aid teaching and resources - I have been on Red Cross first aid days myself - but I hadn't really linked that to other provision of ongoing health and social care, whether it be lending out medical equipment (wheelchairs etc) on a temporary basis in the UK or fighting AIDS and TB overseas.
Even when I thought the Red Cross was basically a first aid provider (albeit an international warzone one) only it seemed like a very good cause, now that I have realised it is not just there in the moment of injury but before and after and has a focus on 'crisis' not 'staunching' I am even more in favour.
Donation Page: http://www.redcross.org.uk/Donate-Now
Today my 5 pounds has possibly bought two-and-a-half jerry cans to store drinking water free from life-threatening diseases. :D
Website: http://www.redcross.org.uk/ (This is the website for the British Red Cross)
The Red Cross is a volunteer-led humanitarian organisation that helps people in crisis "whoever and wherever they are". They describe their work as "We enable vulnerable people at home and overseas to prepare for and respond to emergencies in their own communities. And when the crisis is over, we help people recover and move on with their lives."
The Red Cross have a fairly diverse remit, actually covering more sorts of crisis that I had realised. I was aware of their work in war zones (with the famous 'don't shoot at a red cross' as they protect people in conflict and offer refugee services) and as an emergency response force in natural disasters - but I had not ever really thought about their role in preparing for disasters or in finding missing family, both of which are apparentlyimportant parts of their work! Likewise I knew that they offer first aid teaching and resources - I have been on Red Cross first aid days myself - but I hadn't really linked that to other provision of ongoing health and social care, whether it be lending out medical equipment (wheelchairs etc) on a temporary basis in the UK or fighting AIDS and TB overseas.
Even when I thought the Red Cross was basically a first aid provider (albeit an international warzone one) only it seemed like a very good cause, now that I have realised it is not just there in the moment of injury but before and after and has a focus on 'crisis' not 'staunching' I am even more in favour.
Donation Page: http://www.redcross.org.uk/Donate-Now
Today my 5 pounds has possibly bought two-and-a-half jerry cans to store drinking water free from life-threatening diseases. :D