Irish Red Cross responds to floods

Friday 20 November 2009

The Irish Red Cross is responding to floods in Cork and Waterford in fulfilment of its role as an auxiliary to the State.

In Cork, a number of Irish Red Cross ambulances, minibuses and volunteer members of the Irish Red Cross, were deployed yesterday evening and in the early hours of this morning, at the request of the HSE and the Gardaí, to help nursing staff get to and from their places of work and to assist evacuees from flooded residences. The Red Cross is also responding to a request to provide blankets to some of those who have been forced from their accommodation due to flooding. A Red Cross 4 x 4 unit also responded yesterday to a flooding incident in Co. Waterford.

Following the initial call for assistance from the HSE, the Irish Red Cross Southern Regional Director of Units, Ted Noonan, and Cork Area Director of Units, John Joe Lyons, worked to put all Red Cross units in Cork together with the neighbouring counties of Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford on alert to assist Cork if required. Many roads have proved impassable for Red Cross road ambulances due to the severity of the flooding, and the Red Cross has instead deployed 4 x 4 ambulances where required. Red Cross units everywhere but Cork were stood down late yesterday evening.

"Our members worked throughout yesterday and last night helping the Gardaí and HSE to aid people affected by rising floodwaters. We will continue to work over the course of the weekend and for as long as required," said Ted Noonan.

Help to flood-damaged communities is provided by members of the Irish Red Cross who are all volunteers. The role of the Irish Red Cross is set out its role as laid down in the state's plan for emergencies, the Major Emergency Framework document.

Irish Red Cross responds to floods

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