Red Cross claims Most Welsh adults are ‘totally unprepared’ for an emergency

A new British Red Cross report ‘Ready for Anything’ says needs of individuals and communities must be at heart of response to flooding, terror attacks, and other emergencies

A quarter (24%) of Welsh adults think they will be affected by a major emergency, but more than two thirds (70%) admit nobody in their household has taken steps to prepare. That’s according to new research from the British Red Cross.

Cllr Huw Thomas, Cardiff Council Leader, today backs the Red Cross call for the voluntary sector, emergency services, local authorities and the Government to work better together to meet four key needs identified in the report:

• addressing immediate practical needs
• communicating essential information
• providing mental health and psychosocial support
• helping people rebuild lives with access to advocacy, advice and ongoing support

Drawing on a survey of 5,000 UK adults, and insights from those with direct experience of major incidents and emergencies, Ready for anything: Putting people at the heart of emergency response, looks in depth at what people expect and need when crisis hits.

The report finds that when emergencies happen, such as fires, flooding, or a terror attack, individuals and communities respond very differently. The support they are given to plan, cope with and recover from an emergency should reflect that diversity. For example, 49% of Welsh adults would prefer to be given cash to purchase emergency items themselves after a flood and 48% of people in Wales would want information on how the situation is progressing.

The report also shows providing cash for people to buy what they need in an emergency, rather than assuming what they need, was often more culturally appropriate and desired. It gives people dignity and allows them to make decisions about their own recovery.

The British Red Cross responds to an emergency in the UK approximately every four hours. The charity and its volunteers carry out first aid, run rest centres and provide safe spaces where they offer emotional and practical support. Every year, it helps around half a million people in the UK to prepare for, respond to and recover from a crisis. It believes greater collaboration between different agencies and charities, as well as sharing local knowledge and insights, will help meet the wide range of individual needs in a crisis.

Rob Donovan, Emergency Response Operations Manager – Wales, British Red Cross said: “Major emergencies in the UK are rare and it’s important to stress the majority of people won’t be caught up in one. But, whether it’s a flood, fire, power or water outage or other alert, this report builds on our knowledge of how to respond and support people’s recovery best. One size doesn’t fit all, and planning together and listening to people’s needs locally can both reassure and empower communities to withstand incidents in future. We are currently looking for volunteers in Wales to help support local people in an emergency. If you are interested in volunteering with us, please visit our website for more information.”

Naomi Phillips, Director of Policy and Advocacy, at the British Red Cross said: “When an emergency hits a community, it can tear at its very fabric. If people are prepared, they can withstand the impact of shocks and recover over time. And, while a community takes time to heal, people should feel empowered, supported and confident in their own and their institutions’ ability to respond.

“Our report offers powerful insights into what people require after an emergency, whether a major event or the need to evacuate their home for a fire or flood, something that could happen to anyone. We’re inviting emergency responders across all sectors to work with us and share our learnings.”

Cardiff Council Leader, Cllr Huw Thomas, said: “This report outlines how every emergency is personal, we know different people will have different needs during and after a crisis, greater collaboration between local authorities, emergency services and the voluntary sector will ensure that all these needs are met. It is important that local authorities continue to work with partners across various sectors to build up community resilience and ensure communities are as prepared as possible for risks like flooding or power outages.

The report also looks at the needs of those who respond to emergencies, whether as a job or through volunteering. It also corrects some misconceptions, e.g. a quarter of people wrongly believe that firefighters and the police routinely monitor social media for people needing help, or that posting on social media is a good way to alert emergency services.

The report includes personal testimony from ordinary members of the public who experienced emergencies, one said: “I realised the extent of what was happening, that my daughter was going to be wearing not her own clothes, clothes that didn’t fit her, nappies that didn’t fit her, and that’s when I think it hit home with me that our lives had been turned upside down. It was silly things, I remember the first day I got a pink blanket to give her … that was a big thing for me.”

And a Red Cross volunteer speaks in the report about the importance of talking things through: “We as humans have a built-in need after a stressful situation to go and talk about it. It’s part of our survival mechanism.”

The British Red Cross is also using the report launch to highlight some simple steps organisations and individuals can take to help prepare for any eventuality:

• Download Ready for Anything report and the British Red Cross’ other emergency response reports
• Explore the Red Cross’s top tips on giving emotional support in an emergency
• Download its free emergency response app: receive alerts about incidents like flooding in your area; available in the Apple App Store and Google Play.
• Download its free first aid app; get first aid advice at your fingertips; available for Apple via iTunes or Google Play. 
• The Red Cross in Cardiff and Swansea is recruiting for emergency response volunteers. To find out more email ILCRVolRecruitment@redcross.org.uk or click here

Find out more and download British Red Cross’ Ready for Anything report here:redcross.org.uk.

Photo: British Red Cross responds to an emergency approximately every four hours  Photo credit: Antonio Zazueta Olmos/British Red Cross