To mark World Red Cross Day, the Cayman branch of the humanitarian group honoured its hundreds of volunteers who have stepped to the fore over the last 12 months to help provide relief for COVID-positive households, man shelters and provide first aid at community events.
World Red Cross Day is celebrated each year on 8 May, the birthday of the movement’s founder and winner of the first Nobel Peace Prize, Henri Dunant. It is a day that has been observed annually since 1948.
Worldwide, the Red Cross and Red Crescent have almost 97 million members, in addition to their many volunteers.
Here in Cayman, the Red Cross programmes are grouped into four core areas: promoting humanitarian principles and values; disaster response; disaster preparedness; and health and care in the community.
COVID relief
Many volunteers were called into action in October last year with the resurgence of community transmission of COVID-19. The volunteers were deployed to assist in the delivery of food and other groceries to households that suddenly were placed in quarantine due to coming in contact with a COVID-positive case or because a member of the household had tested positive.
“This service became a lifeline for families who found themselves under quarantine/isolation orders with empty fridges and cupboards as they had no prior notice in light of the sudden news. Until this service was established, those short of money, or with no credit cards or internet access, who were unable to order food and groceries online had no option but to turn to neighbours, family members, colleagues and elected officials to assist them,” a statement by the Cayman Islands Red Cross noted.
In total, 117 volunteers took part in the effort, and between 20 Oct. and 30 Nov. made an average of three deliveries per day, assisting 442 households, the Red Cross stated.
Hurricane shelters
The volunteers were also busy on shelter duty, both at the Red Cross’s own shelter in George Town and at government facilities.
The Red Cross shelter was activated four times last year – in response to fires in the Windsor Park community and at the landfill, as well as during Tropical Storms Grace and Ida.
According to the Red Cross, more than 20 individuals sought refuge at the shelter, and 36 CIRC volunteers were deployed to assist in all of the government shelters.
First aid
First aid volunteers also covered 29 community events in 2021, the Red Cross said, with 180 of them deployed to ensure the health and safety of attendees.
The Red Cross’s Disaster Management volunteers were able to, once again, support the Cayman Islands Airports Authority in its annual airport emergency exercise.
“A total of 35 CIRC volunteers participated in two key roles, as victims of the exercise as well as First Aid responders supporting emergency response personnel,” the Red Cross said.
Elderly care
Meanwhile, the Red Cross’s ‘Support Our Seniors’ project has been focussing on identifying, vetting, training and deploying volunteers to assist Cayman’s elderly population.
In 2021, 64 volunteers supported a total of 30 vulnerable elderly residents in all districts of Grand Cayman, and responded to 114 requests for services.
The volunteers carried out a number of tasks, including providing transportation to medical appointments, and pickup and delivery of groceries and medication.
‘Time, skills, blood, sweat and tears’
‘“Around the world, there are over 115 million people who give their time, skills, blood, sweat and tears to help assist the most vulnerable and empower their community,” Jondo Obi, director of the Cayman Islands Red Cross said in the statement. “We are a voluntary service humanitarian organization unlike any other, and everything that we do, here and abroad, is because everyday citizens believe in the power of humanity and act on that belief.”
She added, “Our volunteers are the heart and soul of the Red Cross, both here in Cayman and across the globe. With endless compassion and dedication, Red Cross volunteers give of themselves selflessly as they respond to natural and man-made disasters in their communities.”
The Cayman Islands Red Cross is open to all and always welcomes volunteers. To learn more, email the Volunteer and Resources Manager on [email protected].
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