Canadian Red Cross hosts national forum to strengthen emergency readiness for 2026 crises

Press Release

January 28, 2026

More than 50 organizations participate in Ready 2026 to build resilience as domestic disasters increase

With climate driven disasters and emergencies becoming more frequent and severe, emergency response representatives from more than 50 organizations have gathered in Ottawa for the Ready 2026 Conference.

The conference brings together more than 130 representatives from communities, organizations, First Nations, and all levels of government to leverage collective insights and expertise. It provides a critical opportunity to help advance our collective preparedness ahead of large-scale emergency or disaster responses, and to help inform emergency management approaches that help communities be more resilient during disruptive events.

Now in its third year, Ready 2026 offers an opportunity for leaders to share experiences from the past year’s disruptive events and to strengthen coordination for future emergencies.

QUOTE:

“We are living in an era of continuous crisis where complex emergencies are no longer unique. As leaders in the emergency space, we need to be prepared collectively. It’s no longer optional. Preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters and other disruptive events requires a whole-of-society approach. We must take collective responsibility and work together to build a new culture of preparedness across Canada.”

— Conrad Sauvé, President and CEO of the Canadian Red Cross

QUICK FACTS:

• 80%+ of large Canadian Red Cross disaster responses are domestic.
• Summer 2025 wildfires marked the largest domestic response in the modern history of the Canadian Red Cross, surpassing the response to the COVID‑19 pandemic.
• The Canadian Red Cross currently maintains more than 6,700 trained personnel ready to deploy, most of them volunteers.
• The Canadian Red Cross has partnered with 2,000+ local organizations in recent years to support emergency and recovery efforts.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

@RedCrossCanada | facebook.com/CanadianRedCross | redcross.ca/blog
Red Cross donor inquiries: WeCare@redcross.ca or 1-800-418-1111

ABOUT THE CANADIAN RED CROSS

Here in Canada and overseas, the Red Cross stands ready to help people before, during and after a disaster. As a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement – which is made up of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and 191 national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies – the Canadian Red Cross is dedicated to helping people and communities in Canada and around the world in times of need and supporting them in strengthening their resilience.

MEDIA CONTACTS

English Media: 1-877-599-9602 and media@redcross.ca
French Media: 1-888-418-9111 and communication@croixrouge.ca

ILR5