Disaster and emergencies in the UK

A fire engine and a British Red Cross emergency vehicle drive through a flooded road.

“If it’s raining, I can’t sleep. I’m terrified it will happen again”

From losing treasured possessions to living in fear for the future, the impacts of living through a flood can be long-lasting and life-changing

content type Story estimated reading time 3 minutes
Close up of Graham's hands placed together while he sitting.

Lonely in isolation: how Graham found support in a pandemic

Just out of hospital as lockdown began, Graham found support when he needed it

content type Story estimated reading time 2 minutes
Thermometer showing high temperature

Record breaking 2022 heatwave to become the norm by 2060

The Met Office’s State of the UK Climate report shows that July 2022 was the warmest summer since records began.

content type Article estimated reading time 2 minutes
In a thumbnail for the On the Ground: Humanitarians in Action film, a British Red Cross volunteer is seen taking a box of PPE out of the boot of a Land Rover vehicle

Humanitarians in Action: watch the film

Join our volunteers on the frontline of our response to the Covid-19 pandemic

content type Story estimated reading time 3 minutes
Paul and Bridget

Life after coronavirus: Paul's road to recovery

Paul's goal was get back out and about. Emergency response volunteer Bridget was on hand to help

content type Story estimated reading time 3 minutes
Two British Red Cross volunteers push trollies filled with items for the evacuated residents of the building in Poplar

Poplar fire: "Just being there for someone can make a huge difference"

Volunteer team leader Ase on responding to the 7 May fire in East London

content type Article estimated reading time 2 minutes
Jasmine with a picture of her son Charlie

Pregnant in a pandemic: Jasmine's story

How Red Cross volunteer Tracey helped one mum-to-be

content type Story estimated reading time 3 minutes
Lightning striking field

Where is the safest place during a lightning storm? Things you should know about thunder and lightning

Does lightning never strike twice? Myths and misconceptions about what to do in thunder and lightning can make a dangerous situation even worse, so it’s important to know what advice to follow

content type Article estimated reading time 3 minutes
Children in a classroom raise their hands.

When a pillowcase becomes a grab bag

Preparing children for emergencies from floods to heatwaves

content type Article estimated reading time 2 minutes
Lisa and Tracey sit on a wall in the park, with Tracey's dogs in between them. Tracey is wearing her Red Cross uniform and a face mask and Lisa is smiling

Our work across the UK during the coronavirus pandemic

From tackling loneliness in lockdown to providing vaccine support

content type Story estimated reading time 3 minutes
Standing in front of woods blackened by fire with their backs to the camera, an Australian Red Cross volunteer puts his arm around a woman as she lowers her head.

UK wildfires: what are they and why do they happen?

Understand what a wildfire or grassfire is and why they're becoming more common.

content type Article estimated reading time 4 minutes
Dried reservoir

UK droughts: what are they and why are they happening?

With drought declared across swathes of the UK, many people will be wondering wondering what the short and long term effect swill be, and how they can prepare.

content type Article estimated reading time 4 minutes