UK Crisis Response

Aim: Together, we bring hope and life-changing help to anyone who needs it, no matter who or where they are – and have done for over 150 years.

In any emergency, the British Red Cross is ready to respond . Together, we bring hope and life-changing help to anyone who needs it, no matter who or where they are – and have done for over 150 years.  

In the UK, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, our expert teams need to be ready to mobilise and respond to any emergency. When emergencies strike, we’re on the ground, knocking on doors, checking in on the most vulnerable, even in the most remote corners of the UK. We make sure no one has to face a crisis alone. Whether it’s wrapping a blanket around someone who’s just lost their home in a fire, or running a rest centre where entire communities can find shelter, warmth, and support after a major incident, our presence is fundamental. We’re there, by people’s sides, when they need it most. . We have a fleet of emergency response vehicles positioned at strategic points across the country ready to deploy within minutes of an emergency. 

This wouldn’t be possible without our supporters, who are enabling us to:  

• Respond to UK emergencies approximately every four hours and a half hours.
• Provide practical and emotional support to those affected and response teams on the ground.  
• Invest in equipment and vehicles we need to improve how we respond.
• Create new services to help communities up and down the UK become more resilient.

Did you know? 

• £5 could provide food and hot drinks for a family of four affected by flooding, helping them to cope during crisis. 
• £20 could give a parent in the UK the essential items they need to care for a newborn baby when they have lost everything due to flooding.
• £60 could keep 150 survivors of a fire at a block of flats in the UK warm while we support them to find emergency accommodation for the night.

From May until December, British Airways will also be raising funds for us with their in-flight fundraising campaign, supporting our important emergency response work here in the UK. ⁣ So, if you’re hopping on board one of their planes soon, keep your eyes peeled for their in-flight video to spot our critical emergency work in action, and see how you can support us from the air! 

Responding to extreme weather 

Climate and weather emergencies in the UK, such as floods, heatwaves and wildfires, are generally becoming more frequent and more devastating. Storms Bert, Henk and Darragh caused significant disruption last year. Our teams worked with communities to help them prepare, respond and recover.  

In November, Storm Bert hit the UK with torrential rain, snow, and intense winds, triggering over 170 flood alerts and affecting hundreds of homes. In Wales, 433 properties were flooded, and in Northern Ireland there were over 600 emergency incidents due to power cuts, travel disruptions and flooding. Significant snowfall made the situation in Scotland even more challenging. 

Thanks to our supporters, the British Red Cross was there to support those affected by this storm. Together we reached 367 people through rest centres and door-to-door checks to ensure those most at risk were supported. 

Please note: the British Red Cross will use your donation in support of UK crisis response and community resilience work. In the event there are surplus funds raised for this appeal these will be used for the general charitable purposes of the British Red Cross.   

For information on British Red Cross' refund policy, please see here: https://www.redcross.org.uk/get-involved/donate/donation-questions/making-a-donation#RefundPolicy 

Top image: © Peter Summers/British Red Cross 

Bottom image: Graham and Joanna, emergency response volunteers, supporting the people affected by the flooding in Ponypridd, Wales, following storm Bert. © Francesca Jones/British Red Cross