Cover Photo: Singapore Red Cross
Photo: Singapore Red Cross
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As one of Singapore's most influential and critical philanthropic organisations, hear more about the programmes that it runs as it counts down to a humanitarian forum that is set to discuss humanitarian trends, challenges and how it can best function in the new normal
Philanthropy and the nature of humanitarian work have drastically changed over the years due to Covid-19 and the restrictions it has imposed upon those catering to the less fortunate and overlooked in society. This is why it is so important that humanitarian organisations hold dialogues to communicate about the ongoing challenges and to discuss how best to overcome them.
On March 19, the Singapore Red Cross will be organising the Humanitarian Forum, entitled 'The Future of Humanitarian Action', to discuss the latest humanitarian trends and challenges that we are currently facing in this new normal. It is a crucial step for the organisation as it looks ahead to the uncertain future.
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The forum will be held at the Shangri-La Hotel and will be graced by Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies Mr Heng Swee Keat.
Above Photo: Singapore Red Cross
Photo: Singapore Red Cross
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While the Singapore Red Cross is an organisation that is typically involved in disaster relief, blood donor recruitment and first aid, many might not know that it also does significant work locally in the community as well. In fact, the Singapore Red Cross has been serving some of the most vulnerable in the community over the past seven decades.
For example, the Red Cross Home for the Disabled is Singapore’s only residential home for the most severely disabled and it boasts a team of professional caregivers and physio and occupational therapists that provide round the clock care to their residents. It also conducts a multitude of activities that are aimed at enhancing the physical, emotional and social well-being of its residents.
The Singapore Red Cross also set up a Day Activity Centre for the Disabled which caters to disabled individuals who are hoping to improve their community living skills and to maximise their independence. This facility is important because it gives caregivers the peace of mind that their loved ones are being cared for while they are able to continue with their daily tasks such as going to work.
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Above Photo: Singapore Red Cross
Photo: Singapore Red Cross
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Services such as these are crucial because it has been estimated by the Singapore Red Cross that 83,000 elderly persons aged 65 and above will be living alone by 2030.
This is why the Singapore Red Cross puts such a high emphasis on befriending services, wellness programmes, medical chaperones and more to contribute positively to ageing-in-place.
Above Photo: Singapore Red Cross
Photo: Singapore Red Cross
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Besides caring for the elderly, the Singapore Red Cross also cares a lot about vulnerable families and their children.
The Singapore Red Cross’ Family Lifeaid, for example, aims to build up the social, emotional and financial resilience of vulnerable families in Singapore. This takes form by educating and mentoring kids of these families and ensuring that they have access to nutritious meals, help with schoolwork and an ability to obtain essentials through volunteer befrienders.
This is crucial to ensure that less fortunate children do not fall through the gaps and that they have all the resources they need to excel in life.
Above Photo: Singapore Red Cross
Photo: Singapore Red Cross
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While the Singapore Red Cross ensures that it has covered all its bases when it comes to caring for the elderly and the less fortunate in society, it also recognises that there is a need to equip Singaporeans with the skills to be able to function in times of crisis to maximise all philanthropic efforts.
To do this, the Singapore Red Cross Academy has, over the years, developed to become an Institute for Humanitarian Studies. This institute offers interested individuals training in First Aid and Life Support, Emergency and Disaster Management, Humanitarian Education, Psychosocial Support, Youth Development and more.
It also offers first aid training and even Southeast Asia’s first public Psychological first aid course, eldercare first aid for caregivers, first aid for younger individuals, and Singapore’s first certifiable Citizen First Responder Training Programme.
Its Red Cross Youth programme is also thriving as it aims to inspire and support young humanitarians by providing a seamless transition as these young people advance through the education system. It provides programmes such as school safety, disaster risk reduction, mental health programmes and even modules on caring for the elderly.
It also strongly advocate for blood donations particularly after it was appointed the National Blood Donor Recruiter in 2001. The Singapore Red Cross now mobilises blood donors as well as community bloodmobile organisers to ensure that we have a steady supply to meet Singapore’s transfusion needs at all times.
Above Photo: Singapore Red Cross
Photo: Singapore Red Cross
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With all the work that the Singapore Red Cross is doing, holding a humanitarian forum now is timely and more important than ever. We need to, as a community, discuss the best ways to reach out and cater to the needs of the vulnerable in our society all while adhering to the current Covid-19 regulations so that more people can continue to be helped and given the resources they need to pull through difficult situations.
If you would like to hear more about the work the Singapore Red Cross is doing, click here. To partner with the Singapore Red Cross or speak about philanthropic ideas that you may have, click here.
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Camillia Dass is the digital writer for Tatler Singapore.
