Locally-led emergency response starts here
From local to global
As part of the largest humanitarian network in the world, we have a presence in 191 countries.
The devastation and heartache caused by bushfires, floods, severe storms, cyclones and other major crises within communities have impacted many people. We let them know they’re not alone – we’re here to help. In the shelters, evacuation centres, and recovery centres our volunteers offered people comfort and psychological support.
With 110 years experience and a community of 20,000+ members and volunteers, at Australian Red Cross we act locally and connect globally to deliver what’s needed, when and where it’s needed most. If recent years have taught us anything, it’s that emergencies can happen anywhere without warning. In Australia, the climate crisis is causing more extreme weather and more frequent and severe disasters. The last few years have been intense for our teams, and this summer has been particularly relentless, with multiple emergencies happening at the same time across the country. Because of this, our Emergency Services teams have faced skyrocketing demand for their help across Australia. The number of response activations our team was called to nearly tripled this season compared to last year. We supported 32,000 people caught up in 26 disasters and emergencies across almost all states and territories. That’s equal to all the people we helped during the whole of the last financial year.
We are a global Movement, but this widespread local presence is what makes us unique. Because when disaster or conflict strikes, wherever in the world, Red Cross is already there on the ground with the local knowledge, connections, and trust to respond immediately. This immediate and local response is going to become more and more essential as the need for humanitarian aid amplifies. By 2050, an estimated 200 million people every year could need international humanitarian aid, as a result of a cruel combination of climate-related disasters and the socioeconomic impact of climate change. If the number of people in need continues to increase, we know that this will come at a cost. Today, resources are already insufficient to provide very basic support to everyone who needs assistance after climate-related disasters. And by 2030, the funding requirements could balloon to $20 billion per year. While there is a clear cost of doing nothing, there is also a chance to do something. While we cannot prevent storms, cyclones, heat waves and other climate and weather-related hazards from happening, we can do something about the impacts they have. At Australian Red Cross we are working across the Asia-Pacific region to support local Societies in preparing for, and planning their response to, climate related disasters. Your investment now is helping to prevent more drastic and severe crises in the future. Being on the ground and immersed in their local communities, a National Society is always best placed to understand the local needs in an
The Rising Need
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Scan here to hear about our recent response to the North Western bushfires in Victoria.
emergency, and you are supporting the strengthening of this local response with our neighbours across the Pacific. Because of you, teams can be there, trained, ready and equipped when disaster strikes. You can help prevent a disaster from becoming a humanitarian crisis. But we know, and have all too recently seen with the conflicts across Ukraine and Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), that sometimes more than just a local response is needed. With the support of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), a National Society can always call on the wider Movement if a global activation is required. And thanks to your investment in Australian Red Cross, we have the right people there and ready to respond internationally if and when the call comes. We are a Movement of people, we help Australians act for humanity. By supporting Red Cross you can play a part in making the world we live in a better place. Increase of population in need of humanitarian assistance as a result of climate-related disasters by 2030 and 2050 (under pessimistic scenario).
Thanks to your support, we can be there behind the headlines with those who need us most – in communities ravaged by hardships, to those scarred forever by bullets and bombs. We’re there when it matters the most because we won’t stand by and let others shoulder the burdens alone. Whether that’s here in Australia or supporting our global network across 190 other countries.
Red Cross Volunteers preparing a Recovery Centre during bushfires in Western Victoria earlier this year. Image: Conor Ashleigh
How the movement works together
Conflict
Disaster
• Neutral intermediary • Promotes and monitors International Humanitarian Law • Civilian aid and protection • Detention visits • Tracing and messages
• Disaster and emergency relief • Community development • Disaster risk reduction/preparedness • Health and youth
• Co-ordination of National Societies • Relief in natural and human disasters • Development
• Blood services • Tracing services
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