PRESENTATION

March 2006

CANADIAN RED CROSS

Our Mission

To improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing

the power of humanityin Canada and around the world.

Our Fundamental Principles

• HUMANITY

• IMPARTIALITY

• NEUTRALITY

• INDEPENDENCE

• VOLUNTARY SERVICE

• UNITY

• UNIVERSALITY

Member in an International Family

• 181 National Red Cross/Red Crescent Societies around the world

• Shared emblem• Shared Principles• Collaboration with the International Committee

of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in Canada and overseas

• In 2005, the Red Cross Movement adopted a third emblem – the red crystal

Our Mandate

The Canadian Red Cross Society is officially recognized by the government as a voluntary relief society, auxiliary to the public authorities (...) in Canadian territory. Its aims shall be:

 

(a) to provide protection and assistance to victims of armed conflicts and disasters,

 

(b) to prevent and alleviate human suffering, and

 

(c) to work for the improvement of health and prevention of disease.

Canadian Red Cross Society Act, 1909

Canada Corporations Act, 1970

Our Organizational Structure

1 Board of Governors

1 National Office

4 Zones

22 Regions

295 Branches

6,644 Staff

29,412 Volunteers

Our Programs

• Injury Prevention: Water Safety & First Aid • RespectED: Violence & Abuse Prevention• Disaster Services • International & Humanitarian Issues• Community Services

Water Safety

Since 1946, we have trained over 30 million Canadians how to stay healthy, active and safe in, on and around the water.

• Swimming & Water Safety Programs• Instructor Development • Drowning Research• Public Education / Campaigns• Boat Operators Accreditation Program (On Board)

Over 1.2 million Canadians trained last year alone through a network of over 3,200 Authorized Providers.

First Aid

For more than 50 years, Canadians have learned how to save lives, ease pain, and more importantly, how to prevent injuries.

“First aid training can reduce up to 40% risk of injuries for the participants”.

• Children’s Safety Programs• First Aid & CPR Programs• Advanced First Aid Programs• Public Education / Campaigns

Over 376,000 trained per year through a network of 3,500 Authorized Providers.

RespectED: Violence & Abuse Prevention

We are in 630 communities (urban, rural & remote) in every province & territory.

"Violence can be prevented and its impact reduced...This is not an article of faith,

but a statement based on evidence" (WHO World Report on Violence & Health,

2002)

We offer a variety of programs for:• Children – 1 program • Youth – 4 programs• Adults – 6 programs• Professionals – 5 training programs

Since 1984, over 1.35 million children/youth & 200,000 adults trained, and

1,500 Prevention Educator certified.

International & Humanitarian Issues

We do:

• Disaster Preparedness & Response• Relief Programs - People Affected by Armed Conflict • Primary Health Care Programs• Delegates Program• Restoring Family Links• Detention Monitoring Program• Promotion of International Humanitarian Law and

Values

Disaster Services

Emergency Preparedness

Expect the Unexpected

• National program for children & youth;

• Training courses for Red Cross volunteers, personnel and other organizations;

• Collaboration for public messaging, education materials, safety campaigns.

Emergency Response

Based on local agreements we may provide…

• Feeding, Lodging & Clothing;

• Family Reunification;

• Personal Services & Emotional Support;

• Donations Management;

• Experienced & trained relief workers

Examples of International & National Relief Operations

• 1917 Halifax Explosion• 1918 Influenza Epidemic• 1950 Winnipeg Flood• 1954 Hurricane Hazel• 1979 Mississauga Train

Derailment• 1985 Barrie Tornado• 1990 Oka Crisis• 1996 Saguenay Flood• 1997 Manitoba Flood• 1997 Hurricane Mitch

• 1998 Ice Storm & Swissair Crash

• 1999 Kosovar refugees & Mozambique Floods

• 2001 Sept. 11 Tragedies & El Salvador Earthquake

• 2001 Gujurat Earthquake• 2003 SARS, Iraq Crisis, BC

Forest Fires, Blackout, Iran Earthquake

• 2004 Hurricanes in US & the Caribbean Region, South Asia Tsunamis

Community Services

• Health Care Equipment Loan Services also known as M.E.L.S. – Medical Equipment Loan Service

• Other Community Services

Each of the nine regions in Western Canada has their own community initiatives, targeted for the specific needs of the most vulnerable populations in their communities.

Collaboration with Government Departments

• Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness Canada • Health Canada - Public Health Agency of Canada• National Defence – Canadian Forces• CIDA• Foreign Affairs • CIC• Department of Justice• Social Development• Human Resources and Skills Development• Fisheries & Oceans / CCG• Environment Canada / Parks Canada• Transport Canada / Office of Boating Safety• Canadian Heritage• Treasury Board

THANK YOU!