Deirdre Garvey
Secretary General, Irish Red Cross
Aiden Lonergan
National Director of Community Support, Irish Red Cross
Highly trained Irish Red Cross volunteers perform a crucial role, both at home and abroad. Their focus includes providing urgent support and life-saving first aid to those in need.
In times of crisis, it’s comforting to know that there are people who will always step forward to serve others. Dedicated and selfless people who help without fanfare — and without waiting to be asked. This is how the volunteers of the Irish Red Cross operate.
Humanitarian aid and resilience
For over 85 years, the organisation has played a vital role in responding to crises both at home and abroad. From Myanmar to Midleton and Mayo, from Gaza to Galway, from Ukraine to Creeslough, its people have been there to provide essential first aid and emergency response to those in need.
“This is what we do,” says Deirdre Garvey, Secretary General, Irish Red Cross. “While we are known for our international humanitarian response, we don’t only help those in need overseas. We also operate as a humanitarian response force for Ireland. Our focus is clear. We want to empower communities to become more resilient in the face of disaster, and we want to support those who are isolated, vulnerable or in crisis. None of this can happen without our 4,000 volunteer humanitarians, who are highly trained, trusted and ready to act.”
We want to empower communities
to become more resilient in
the face of disaster.
Reaching vulnerable people affected by Storm Éoywn
That includes people like Aiden Lonergan who, by day, works as an inspector in An Garda Síochána. He also serves as National Director of Community Support, a volunteer role he holds with the Irish Red Cross — and is always fully prepared to put his skills into action.
In February, Lonergan was one of the 90 volunteers mobilised in response to the record-breaking Storm Éoywn, which battered counties across Ireland with 184km/h winds, causing fear and devastation in many communities. It particularly threatened those in rural locations who were cut off by the storm and faced increasing isolation, physical and mental health issues and a slide into poverty.
Ultimately, some of the people they found were very cold, having had no heating or power for over two weeks. Some had health issues; others had mobility issues. “Our role was to reach the most isolated and vulnerable during the crisis,” explains. “We assessed their immediate needs, including access to power, water and medical needs and promptly alerted relevant service providers where required. We offered people welfare packs — which included five-litre bottles of water, milk, newspapers, wet wipes and hand sanitiser — but our primary value was human connection and conversation.”
Responding and helping to strengthen local communities
With severe weather events on the rise, the skills of these volunteers are more in demand than ever. In January, they provided services in deep snow and ice-affected areas of Cork, Limerick, Kerry, Tipperary, Laois, Donegal, Wicklow, Waterford, Wexford and South County Dublin. More than 50 volunteers were out in four-wheel-drive ambulances and other vehicles, supporting people who were isolated and trapped in difficult-to-access locations and ensuring that those who needed to could get to hospital or be given time-sensitive home care procedures.
Last year, they responded to help when homes and livelihoods were devastated by sudden floods in Bantry and Midleton, helping communities pick up the pieces. In 2022, they were on the scene in the aftermath of the devastating Creeslough explosion, offering humanitarian support to those affected.
Volunteer dedication and care
Deidre Garvey never ceases to be amazed and humbled by the dedication of Irish Red Cross volunteers. “From driving our ambulances or treating injuries, to helping people whose homes or businesses have been destroyed by storm damage, they use their skills, passion and kindness to help people when they need it most,” she says. “Their knowledge and insight into local communities and training on how to engage with those at risk are key strengths. We cannot thank them enough for what they do to provide care in a crisis and help strengthen our local communities.”
