19 Mar 2020
Message on COVID-19 from RedR Australia CEO, Kirsten Sayers

In this time of uncertainty and anxiety around the COVID-19 pandemic, I wish to assure the RedR Australia family that the well-being, safety and security of our people, especially our deployees and employees overseas, continues to be our first priority. 

We are, as always, committed to supporting those around the world with the greatest humanitarian need, while ensuring that those who partner and work with RedR Australia are supported themselves. We are working closely with each of our deployees on their individual concerns and arrangements in response to COVID-19.

For 28 years our mandate has been crisis preparedness, response and recovery in partnership with the UN, communities and governments around the world. While this crisis is unprecedented for most of us, this is what RedR Australia was created to do - be an immediate lifeline during times of greatest need - and now is no exception. We are responding to requests for COVID-19 support and will continue to deployee people in line with international guidelines. 

We are proud of our legacy in training the humanitarians of tomorrow, but we currently face the challenge of bringing our trainees all together. We will make decisions about our future courses based on the most up-to-date health information issued by the Australian Government. However, as it stands, the courses in April will not proceed.

We are stronger together, and as we face this emergency as a global family of humanitarians we are ready to take care of one another and those most vulnerable in our communities.