The EmergencyRedi program will be delivered in a partnership between the Australian Red Cross and Multicultural Hub (MHub) Canberra. Photo: Facebook.
Canberra’s culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) communities will have access to 100 workshops over the next two years to prepare them for emergency situations.
The EmergencyRedi for ACT CaLD communities is a two-year collaboration between the Australian Red Cross and Multicultural Hub (MHub) Canberra, and has received $1.87 million in funding from the Disaster Ready Fund.
Australian Red Cross ACT director Jessi Claudianos said the work will have a real impact on Canberra’s diverse communities.
“Getting people to take action now and get prepared for emergencies is critical to ensure they’re ready before disaster strikes, and that they are more resilient through the recovery,” she said.
“CALD communities often face additional barriers in emergencies, such as language, limited access to services, limited information on emergencies from the Australian context, and possible social isolation … so it’s essential that we’re supporting them with access to tools and resources that meet their specific needs.”
The workshops will help people create personal Redi Plans, whether for a major natural disaster such as bushfires or floods, or traumatic events like a car accident or serious illness.
Ms Claudianos said the EmergencyRedi program would strengthen not just individual preparedness, but community networks.
“Throughout the program, local CALD leaders can receive training and support to deliver in-language workshops, ensuring knowledge and action are embedded within communities, not just delivered to them,” she said.
“By working alongside community leaders to tailor the workshops, the program ensures preparedness strategies are culturally safe, relevant, and trusted – making them more effective and sustainable.
“It creates stronger connections between CALD communities, ACT Government and emergency agencies, ensuring everyone can respond together when it matters most.”
The funding will also enable the Red Cross’ Pillowcase program to be delivered in schools.
This is where children are empowered to learn about emergency preparation, including what essentials they would pack into a pillowcase and take with them should they have to evacuate during an emergency.
MHub Canberra executive director Zakia Patel said Canberra’s emergency services had been actively connecting with CaLD communities to explain the role of each service, and when and how to contact them.
“It is not so much about gaps in emergency information for CALD communities here in the ACT, but about ensuring that communities understand what emergencies look like in Canberra,” Ms Patel said.
“[Canberra’s emergencies] can really differ from other countries, and [we’re making sure] that the information is understandable and tailored to the different community groups.
“It is important that our multicultural communities are provided with the right tools, knowledge and information to increase their level of preparedness, resilience and safety.”
Police, Fire and Emergency Services Minister Dr Marisa Paterson said Australian emergencies, such as bushfires, could be “completely unfamiliar” to new arrivals to Canberra and so educating them about preparation was “vital”.
“I am pleased to see that EmergencyRedi will empower individuals and families with practical and psychological skills to reduce disaster risks, understand local hazards, and remain calm and confident during emergencies,” she said.
Multicultural Affairs Minister Michael Pettersson said the co-design aspect of the program was particularly important.
“Too often we hear from CaLD community members who feel excluded from conversations and decisions that directly affect them, when all it would have taken was someone asking, listening and including their voice,” he said.
“This approach not only ensures that emergency information is tailored to [CaLD community] needs, but also gives these communities a meaningful platform to share the messages that impact their lives.”
