The Eighth Day of Holiday Giving
When the Red Cross talks about preparing for emergencies, we always say that preparedness is most effective when it matches the needs of the local community. So you can imagine that while preparedness methods in St. Louis look one way, they might look completely different in a community around the world. For instance…
You might think of a
bicycle as just a means of recreation, but in many places it enables Red Cross volunteers to deliver services in remote villages.
When a natural disaster strikes other countries, the consequences often reach far beyond the initial event, leading to higher food prices, displacement, environmental degradation and increased exposure to disease.
The American Red Cross began working with the Uganda Red Cross Society in 2010 to reduce the risk of disasters in the Teso sub-region by building the capacity of local communities to identify, prepare for and respond to hazards.
The Uganda Red Cross worked with the communities of the selected parishes to form community-based disaster risk reduction groups of 20 members per parish. Each group member received a
bicycle for mobilization, which made it possible for volunteers to reach areas inaccessible to cars.
Activities included training local volunteers on disaster preparedness best practices, conducting community risk assessments and teaching communities how to plan and manage projects.
The communities also identified and implemented projects to help respond to recurring hazards they may face—from building flood-resistant huts to planting trees to prevent soil erosion.
You can support American Red Cross work at home and abroad by making a gift through the
2011 Holiday Giving Catalog. This year, give something that means something!
For just $75, you can provide a Red Cross volunteer in another country with a
Bicycle so they can travel roads impassable by cars and trucks to educate families on safe health practices, disaster preparedness and other important lessons.
Thanks for giving the gift of preparedness!
Elena
Elena Sabin is the Regional Preparedness Education Coordinator for the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter.
**The Uganda Bicycle story was originally published on RedCross.Org on Thursday, December 01, 2011.