Hunger Day fundraising campaign to begin on Thursday: field hospital and aid workers from various sectors on hand in Finland and around the world

Thanks to donations to the Disaster Relief Fund, the Red Cross is able to prepare for crises and disasters and provide emergency aid as soon as it is needed. 

“We are prepared and able to set up a Finnish Red Cross field hospital quickly anywhere in the world, and here in Finland too, if necessary. Our aid worker reserve includes leading experts from various fields, such as doctors, logistics specialists and technicians, whom we have trained to work in crisis situations,” says Finnish Red Cross Director of International Operations Tiina Saarikoski.

A clinic equivalent to a field hospital and a health centre is kept on standby at the Finnish Red Cross logistics centre in Kalkku, Tampere. In addition to healthcare units and the reserve of aid workers, the Red Cross’s crisis preparedness includes e.g. the capacity to support the authorities with evacuations. In addition to major accidents and international disasters, the Red Cross also uses funds from its Disaster Relief Fund to provide assistance in the event of sudden accidents within Finland – on average, more than three times a week in recent years. Aid is provided to people who have lost their homes in fires, for example. The work is carried out in support of the authorities, and the aid is delivered by trained volunteers.

Need for assistance often continues for years after rescue operations

The Disaster Relief Fund supports the Red Cross’s relief operations, which not only provide immediate emergency aid but also help people get back on their feet after a disaster or crisis. 

“The world’s attention is often focused on the acute phase of a crisis and things such as estimating the number of fatalities caused by earthquakes or hurricanes. The fact that survivors often have to rebuild their lives from scratch once the rescue operations are over is frequently overshadowed by the next set of news headlines. In Nepal, for example, people will continue to need help for years to come following the devastating flash floods. I would like to thank everyone who donates to the Disaster Relief Fund for their valuable support, which also enables us to provide long-term aid. Donations also enable us to strengthen our readiness and preparedness for future crises, " says Finnish Red Cross Head of Fundraising Sirpa Solehmainen.

Help is also urgently needed for those living in the midst of extended conflicts. The Disaster Relief Fund is used, amongst other things, to support an aid operation in Gaza, where civilians are provided with humanitarian assistance in the form of first aid, emergency shelter, clean water and hygiene supplies.

“Although large-scale fighting has come to an end, the civilian population of Gaza continues to suffer from ongoing attacks. People there are almost entirely dependent on humanitarian aid,” Saarikoski points out.

The Hunger Day box collection campaign will take place from 24 to 26 September. Online collections and donations will run until 9 October.

Participate in the Hunger Day – donate to the Disaster Relief Fund:

• Donate online.
• Send the text message SPR20 to 16499 (€20).
• Use MobilePay to transfer the desired sum to the number 10900.
• Make a bank transfer: OP FI52 5000 0120 4156 73. Recipient: Red Cross. Reference number: 5173.