Irish Red Cross – This has been a summer of extremes
Record temperatures. Heavy rains. Floods. Across the globe and even here in Ireland, we are all feeling the impact of climate change. Extreme weather events are on the rise, bringing heatwaves and drought or violent storms and flooding.
When you add ongoing conflict and terrible poverty, the situation is unspeakable. And older people and children are exposed to the worst of it.
I’m thinking about children like 11-year-old Haidar.
Haidar lives in Al Hasakah in the Northeast of Syria where almost half of water sources have been bombed and wiped out. Right now, 500,000 people there are in their longest, harshest month of water shortages. The sun beats down for up to 12 hours each day and the temperatures can reach a suffocating 50°C. In temperatures like those, water keeps people alive, but Haidar says: “We are dying, and we need every drop of water.”
The conflict has destroyed a once reliable water system. Today, only half of the country’s water systems work. And where there is no water, there is no life.
I’m thinking about families like Jamila’s in Pakistan.
Jamila is a young mother of four. She’s seen the other side of extreme weather. Catastrophic floods swept away lives and communities last year and took her home and belongings. Those extreme floods left one-third of the country submerged.
I know it sounds overwhelming and for people like Haidar and Jamila, it is awful.
But you can do something about it, today. When you choose to support your Irish Red Cross, your generosity and compassion reach across the globe and here in Ireland, providing relief and support to people who have all but given up hope. And your caring brings more than relief. It sends an important message: that we’re all part of one family. And you’re not alone.
With your help, we can support people with food, water, and medical care… we can help rebuild lives destroyed by extreme weather and let people know they are not suffering alone.
Will you please send a gift today?
Thank you for every kind thought and caring action you take. You are helping to change our world for the better!
