Luxembourg Red Cross Provides 80 Beds to COVID-19 Patients at Colpach Site

The Luxembourg Red Cross has published its activity report for 2019, a year in which the NGO continued to develop its activities in support of vulnerable people.

In recent months, the coronavirus epidemic has been mobilising all of the resources of the organisation, which has been able to respond quickly and effectively in its areas of expertise. During the presentation of last year's activity report, the Red Cross management also recalled the continued commitment of its teams, in Luxembourg and internationally, in times of crisis. 

"Helping in a crisis situation is the raison d'être of our organisation," explained Michel Simonis, Director-General of the Luxembourg Red Cross, pointing out that "the current crisis reveals the relevance of past efforts". 

Marc Crochet, Deputy Director-General, added: "In 2019, we strengthened our capacity to help vulnerable people in Luxembourg and around the world. While we have shown strength and agility to ensure continued support to the most vulnerable at the beginning of 2020, many other needs remain".

Regarding the field of healthcare, the Colpach site has become a partner of choice for people in need of rehabilitation care, having welcomed more than 700 patients during this first year of full activity. The Luxembourg Red Cross Aides et Soins service expanded its offer in 2019, for example by opening a third supervised housing facility in Esch-sur-Sûre to meet the needs of the elderly.

Housing was also a priority for the organisation, as Michel Simonis explained: "The Red Cross's commitment in the field of housing was another major area of development in 2019. Our teams supported those who were struggling to find decent housing, whether they were seniors, single-parent families, young people without access to REVIS or beneficiaries of international protection". For instance, the Yua group (the only one of its kind in Luxembourg) takes in young adult mothers with complicated family and social backgrounds. It provides them with a home, a stable living environment and professional supervision so that they can develop a bond with their child. In 2019, the first year this group was fully active, the Red Cross housed eleven young mothers in this facility.

Commenting on the NGO's work during the coronavirus crisis, Marc Crochet said: "Our teams have been fully mobilised over the past few months. They have had to adapt, for example by participating in the distribution of equipment for healthcare personnel and by opening “maisons relais” for their children at the height of the crisis".

The Luxembourg Red Cross has also helped the health authorities by opening secondary centres for coronavirus patients not requiring acute care. At Colpach, for example, 80 beds have been made available. When it comes to homecare, the Red Cross reacted efficiently and swiftly to maintain quality care for its patients and preserve their health, while putting measures in place to ensure the safety of staff and beneficiaries.

Faced with the economic consequences of the health crisis for people in vulnerable situations, the Red Cross has decided to extended access to its “Butteker”. In addition to this, it has been involved in helping homeless people who are COVID-19 positive since the beginning of the crisis, offering them assistance and contributing to preserving their dignity. Marc Crochet added: "Many solidarity initiatives, such as distributing masks to vulnerable people, were made possible thanks to the strong mobilisation of individuals and companies. This wave of solidarity has been incredible!" 

The organisation also stressed that efforts must continue in Luxembourg, but also internationally. Rémi Fabbri, Director of International Aid for the Luxembourg Red Cross, explained: "We are carrying out awareness-raising campaigns on health issues. We are continuing to distribute essential goods, especially in Africa. But this is not enough to meet all needs. That is why we have chosen to target the most vulnerable first: single mothers and families fleeing violence". Emergency projects abroad launched before the pandemic began have been adapted to protect beneficiaries, who are typically the hardest hit by the current crisis.

"As we look to the future, we are aware of our strengths, but also of the many needs that remain unmet in Luxembourg and abroad," concluded Michel Simonis, before thanking the partners, volunteers and donors who enable the Red Cross to continue to help the most vulnerable every day.