Disasters and conflict devastate millions of lives each year in different parts of the world.

Ahead of a crisis

RedR Australia trains people interested in being available to assist after major disasters.

Qualified and experienced personnel are prepared for some of the challenges they may face on field assignments. Training covers the basics of emergency relief work, logistics, water, sanitation and communications. Those trained may then join the RedR Australia Register of people ready to respond to disasters when called or be available to Australian aid agencies for their own programmes.

Future natural disasters, environmental change, political instability and conflicts will only increase humanitarian needs.

When disaster strikes

RedR Australia is on permanent standby.

United Nations relief agencies request people with particular skills and RedR Australia nominates personnel from its Register. People may be placed with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, United Nations Children's Fund, World Food Programme or the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Assignments may be for a few weeks up to about six months.

Where?

Potentially, almost anywhere – 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, 2006 Pakistan earthquake, 2008 Myanmar cyclone, the ongoing crisis in Sudan… RedR Australia does not set up its own programmes, preferring to operate as a partner with UN agencies or in collaboration with other field operations.