Published in the Canstar Metro and Headliner
July, 2021
Congrats to the Red Cross!
This pandemic has been a challenging time. I am especially grateful to all those who have aided in the effort to curb and combat COVID-19 and who have helped us navigate these unknown waters. One organization that has helped so very much is the Canadian Red Cross.
The Canadian Red Cross has a very long history in our country. While it was officially founded in 1896, this humanitarian concept with the Red Cross as its symbol had existed for a few decades earlier. The humanitarian organization that the Canadian Red Cross has grown into is an impressive one. I am so thankful for all that the CRC has done in our community.
Some important highlights of the work they’ve done in Manitoba during the COVID-19 pandemic include:
• Provided contact tracing support with a team of up to 80 Red Cross callers who have called and answered over 100,000 calls.
• Assisted 11 long-term care homes by providing prevention and control advice training and supplied teams of personnel to some of these care homes.
• Helped with the supply of alternative isolation accommodations for First Nations individuals who were unable to isolate at home in their communities.
• Provided 10 nurses in support of ICU, medical, and emergency departments.
• Assisted Stony Mountain Institution by providing prevention and control training.
The Canadian Red Cross has also provided support to the Manitoba First Nations Pandemic Response Coordination Team after being invited by AMC Grand Chief Arlen Dumas. Some important highlights of this work include:
• Helped with alternative accommodations in Winnipeg.
• Assisted in procuring and shipping supplies to First Nations Communities to support isolation sites. The Canadian Red Cross created and shipped isolation kits which included: cots, blankets, pillows, hygiene kits for isolation areas. Also procured hand sanitizer, gloves, masks, thermometers, gowns, and other supplies as needed by the community. These supplies went out to 61 First Nations communities.
• Deployed Red Cross teams to support outbreak response.
• Worked with First Nations communities to support vaccination clinics. In doing so deployed vaccinators and other support staff.
• Has also offered psychological First Aid Training to members of First Nations in Manitoba.
The work undertaken by the Red Cross has been instrumental in fighting against COVID-19. I want to thank the Canadian Red Cross for all that they have done and continue to do. In challenging times like these, I look around and see so many people coming together to work toward and better tomorrow. Whether it’s community members following the public health orders or the Red Cross deploying aid, all these actions matter so very much.