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2023: the year with record figures
This year was a record year when it comes to situations that can be expressed in numbers. Nationally, but also internationally. Numerous disasters and conflicts hit several countries. In 11 months, the Red Cross has already raised money for 138 disasters. In the Caribbean and in the Netherlands, a lot of time has also been invested in relief efforts in 2023.
+38,000
SUPPORTING PEOPLE WITH FOOD
We distributed 147,787 physical food cards and 25,451 digital food cards in 2023. On average, we issue 2,588 digital cards and 14,716 physical cards per month. This allows us to help almost 18,000 people every month. 1,350 children received a Breakfast Bag. In addition, 20,185 primary and secondary school pupils are currently participating in the School Meals Programme. 88% of their parents say that these children can now eat fruit and vegetables every day. 62% report that the program allows their children to use three meals a day.
200
PEOPLE HELPED TO THEIR FEET AFTER A FALL
From March to mid-August, the pilot 'Immediately deployable Red Cross' ran. Reports of falls are sent to the Red Cross control room. A report is then forwarded to a team that can help the fallen person to their feet and then leave them in comfort. During this period, 200 people were helped to their feet after a fall. In 22 cases, it was necessary to call in extra help, for example from the ambulance, fire brigade, police or a general practitioner.
440.000
HOURS OF ASSISTANCE PROVIDED
This year, the Red Cross provided about 280,000 hours of voluntary assistance and 160,000 hours of paid assistance. We were present at events for 36% of the volunteer hours. All paid hours have been provided in assistance at reception centres for asylum seekers or refugees from Ukraine and at the Humanitarian Service Points.
390
PEOPLE FROM UKRAINE MATCHED TO HOST FAMILIES
The Red Cross is working together with the Dutch Council for Refugees, the Salvation Army and TakeCareBNB, among others, to make it possible to accommodate Ukrainians with host families. 92% of guests and 79% of hosts felt supported during the matching process. 55% of the links were extended. Since September, this private shelter has been phasing out. No more new matches will be made. A total of 3,449 people were accommodated with host families from 2022 to the end of October 2023.
110.000
PEOPLE WELL PREPARED FOR EMERGENCIES
Among other things, we taught 1,177 primary school children to call 112 if necessary. They were also given information about flood risks. Around 2,000 elderly people took part in a well-prepared workshop. 4,352 people received information about emergencies, personal emergency plans or first aid. 367 elderly people are part of a contact circle. As a result, the participants have a larger safety net and do not go unnoticed in an emergency situation, so that help can be called in more quickly if someone is unable to raise the alarm themselves.
138
DISASTERS FOR WHICH THE RED CROSS RAISED MONEY
This year it became clear once again how badly the Netherlands Red Cross is needed outside the Netherlands. Never before have there been so many crises in 1 year. Until the end of November, there were 138 disasters for which the Red Cross raised money. For 7 major disasters, more than 15 million euros are needed to provide emergency aid to all those affected. There were 5 disasters in 5 weeks: the earthquake in Morocco, the flood in Libya, the flow of refugees to Armenia, the earthquake in Afghanistan and the conflict in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank. On average, the Red Cross reported 1 disaster every 2.5 days worldwide this year!
+400
SUPPORTED AND EDUCATED PEOPLE ABOUT TRAFFICKING IN HUMAN BEINGS
The Red Cross provides preventive training and workshops to people at risk of human trafficking and to professionals and volunteers who work with this target group. There were 14 workshops for a total of 154 migrants. 219 first responders participated in 25 training sessions. 39 people received legal support.
4.117
INDIVIDUALS REACHED WITH THE SEP PROGRAM IN THE CARIBBEAN
In 2023, we were still hard at work on the Social Economic Program (SEP) in the Caribbean. This programme is the successor to the National Action Plan and will run from July 2022. With the SEP, we have already reached 4,117 individuals with our help until the end of October 2023. They are part of 1,432 different households on the islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao. This includes help in the form of shopping cards, hygiene kits, rent and utility allowances, school cost allowance, medical reimbursement and much more.
3.800.000
PEOPLE REACHED INTERNATIONALLY
The Netherlands Red Cross works closely with twelve sister societies: Haiti, the Philippines, Lebanon, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Côte d'Ivoire, Central African Republic, Zambia, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda and Mali. In addition to cooperating with these sister associations, the Netherlands Red Cross also works multilaterally, with other countries or organizations. Since 2023, the Netherlands Red Cross has been working bilaterally – that is, with one other party – on just over 160 projects in which they try to reach 3.8 million people.
22
ADDITIONAL FIRST AID INSTRUCTORS IN THE CARIBBEAN
We were also very active in the field of first aid in the Caribbean this year. In May, July and October, the Red Cross organized first aid instructor training and refresher courses for the volunteers and instructors. This has increased the first aid capacity of the islands, there are now 22 instructors. That is much more than in previous years and we would very much like to continue this in the near future.