British Red Cross blog

Communities in Haiti take the lead

Alexandra Murdoch — Fri, 24 May 2013 08:57:44 +0000

“Mwen kontan we w” – a simple yet touching Haitian saying that marks the start of the working day for British Red Cross staff, volunteers and community members in Haiti. It means “I’m happy to see you”, and with the Haiti recovery in its third year, this is one working relationship that couldn’t be more [...]

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Syria conflict: volunteers work in memory of the 20 killed

Ellie Matthews — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:10:54 +0000

This is an edited version of an Italian article by Tommaso Della Longa – a member of the Italian Red Cross – in Damascus. “A few days ago, we intervened to rescue some injured people. Everything was going well, when the situation suddenly deteriorated into an exchange of fire. We found ourselves caught up [...]

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How I became an international aid worker: Sharon Reader

Alexandra Murdoch — Thu, 23 May 2013 09:07:43 +0000

Sharon Reader talks us through her role as a beneficiary communications delegate for the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) after returning from nine months in Sierra Leone. 1. What does your job involve? My job is to improve the way the Red Cross communicates with people before, during and after an emergency. This [...]

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How a 300 year old violin raised thousands for people in crisis

Craig Burnett — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:40:34 +0000

What links Napoleon Bonaparte, two generous music lovers and a gleaming new Red Cross building in Northern Ireland? The answer is a Stradivarius violin known as the Molitor. The antique is one of the most expensive musical instruments ever made – and has helped pay for an amazing new Red Cross centre in Derry, offering [...]

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Investing in peace: the Red Cross supports communities in Kenya

Alexandra Murdoch — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:34:37 +0000

The recent elections in Kenya saw millions of people queuing for long hours to vote, highlighting their commitment to influence social and political change. Sadly, this ballot paper has often come at a cost. Election campaigns in the past decade have seen violence, loss of life and thousands of people forced to leave their [...]

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Red Cross illustrated: photos and video of live drawing in Bristol

Ellie Matthews — Tue, 14 May 2013 14:00:16 +0000

Last Thursday, a group of local illustrators held a live drawing event, exhibition and auction in Bristol. Artists produced pieces on the theme of ‘red’ to raise funds and awareness during Red Cross Week. At the event, five of the artists – Dave Bain, Liv Bargman, Katy Christianson, Paul Roberts and Loch Ness – illustrated [...]

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Syria conflict: displacement on an almost unimaginable scale

Ellie Matthews — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:07:22 +0000

The UN now estimates that almost a quarter of Syria’s population – 4.25 million people – have fled their homes within Syria. Of these people, four out of five are living with host families. The rest are renting, or sheltering in vacant buildings, collective centres, parks, barns or caves. Now try to imagine what would [...]

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Turning the spotlight on self-harm

Craig Burnett — Fri, 10 May 2013 16:05:35 +0000

With young people desperate to know how to help friends who have self-harmed, the British Red Cross has developed new first aid advice about the issue. The organisation’s Life Live it campaign has top tips on its Facebook page, such as what do if someone has cut or burned themselves. While a new video from [...]

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Top five destinations of an international writer

Sarah Oughton — Fri, 10 May 2013 15:27:01 +0000

I’ve taken many journeys to report on the international work of the British Red Cross; from the jungles of Sierra Leone, through Kyrgyzstan’s Tian Shan mountains and into the slums of Haiti to name a few. I’ve often been asked which country I’ve most enjoyed visiting. Like being asked what your favourite all time song [...]

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The Red Cross reflects on a changing humanitarian landscape as it reaches its 150th anniversary

Alexandra Murdoch — Wed, 08 May 2013 09:28:16 +0000

On World Red Cross Red Crescent Day, the world’s largest humanitarian network celebrates 150 years of humanitarian action and a continued commitment to serve the vulnerable in today’s changing world. Widely recognised for its neutrality, and with 188 National Societies worldwide, the Red Cross reaches millions of people each year through programmes in disaster management, [...]

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