Press Release

British Red Cross response to Pitt Review

17 December 2007

The British Red Cross welcomed the publication of the interim report on the Pitt Review, and called on all the agencies working in response to the flooding to improve the way they work together.

Tony Thompson, head of emergency response and resilience at the British Red Cross, said: "The response of the statutory agencies to this emergency was outstanding, however, that should not stop us acknowledging that particular aspects could have worked better."

During the flooding in June and July this year, the Red Cross helped to run rest centres for those evacuated from their homes and delivered thousands of litres of water to people who were without supplies. The Red Cross responds to hundreds of emergencies every year in support of the emergency services, and is included in local authority emergency plans for every part of the UK.

Tony Thompson said: "The floods were the biggest domestic emergency of recent years. Humanitarian issues, such as helping people without water or those who’d been evacuated from their homes, were at the forefront of the response.

"There were a number of instances where the Red Cross had to approach local authorities to raise awareness of what help we could provide, despite the fact this role was already recognised in the local emergency plans.

"There were also occasions across the UK where the Red Cross had a significant role in the response, yet we were not invited to either the tactical or strategic co-ordinating group.

"We understand that the statutory authorities have the right to decide which organisations they use in support of an emergency, however, once agreements are in place and their role included in emergency plans, they should be followed through when the emergency occurs."

After the floods, the British Red Cross conducted a comprehensive review of its own response, highlighting areas where improvements could be made. As a result, new procedures have been put in place to streamline the integration of the Red Cross international logistics team into UK domestic emergency response, better ensuring aid reaches those in need as quickly as possible. New procedures are also being drawn up to better manage and allocate donations and offers of help from the public. 

The Red Cross worked in all the areas affected by flooding this summer. Nine hundred staff and volunteers took part in the response helping to run rest centres, supporting the emergency services, and provided emergency goods and bedding to those evacuated from their homes.

Red Cross volunteers helped evacuate patients from Tewkesbury Hospital after torrential rains led to flooding in the area. They also helped evacuate care home residents in Oxfordshire. In Tamworth, Staffordshire, teams of volunteers worked with fire crews to evacuate residents by boat, and made sure that people who did not want to be evacuated had enough food and medication.

In Gloucestershire, where up to 350,000 people lost their water supply, Red Cross volunteers distributed tonnes of water and food parcels using the Red Cross’ all-terrain UNIMOG vehicle, 4x4s and ambulances. In total the Red Cross helped 8,378 beneficiaries in the county, delivering 33,577 litres of bottled water, 2,260 food parcels, 1,769 hygiene kits and 8,466 dry toilet packs.

The British Red Cross National Floods Appeal raised nearly £5 million to help those most in need such as the elderly, disabled and those on low incomes. Local authorities were invited to nominate charities or apply for grants themselves. To date the Red Cross has distributed £3.5m to 18 local authorities with the remaining funds to be disbursed shortly.

Individual grants funded by the appeal have been awarded to thousands of those worst affected by the flooding including older people, people with disabilities and families on low incomes, helping to mitigate the costs of recovering from the floods. Money has also gone to charities and specific projects focussed on helping communities recover and returning life to normal.