At Belgian Red Cross-Flanders , we realize that it is not obvious for everyone to go on vacation - even though everyone needs one from time to time. Therefore, in 2018 we organized 19 Adapted Vacations for people with mental and/or physical disabilities and their caregivers. The elderly are also welcome on these vacations.

Together with more than 200 volunteers, we provided customized care and enjoyable vacations at care hotel Domein Polderwind in Zuienkerke - open since April 2018!

Domain Polderwind has all the facilities for people with and without disabilities to unwind. The care hotel is located between Blankenberge and Bruges, next to a beautiful lake of 15 hectares. There is a pedalo, a network of wheelchair-accessible hiking trails, a petanque court and a beach to relax on. It's also great to relax in the wellness areas, while sports enthusiasts can indulge in the gym. Together with the wonderful volunteers, the care hotel offers the ideal cocktail for a wonderfully relaxing time.

Would you like to help yourself on such a Customized Vacation? Sign up here!

In 2018, we were able to count on nearly 600 Bridge volunteers. They provide extra guidance to socially vulnerable children. These may be children whose parents or grandparents have died, or whose parents have recently divorced. But think also of foreign-speaking newcomers or children whose parents do not yet have full command of Dutch. Education can also be an important step towards a better future for these children. Our volunteers literally build the bridge between school and home.

Would you also like to help children feel at home again or more in their school environment? Then don't hesitate to read more about it and/or apply here!

library service for hospitals and care institutions pays attention to people who are in care facilities for shorter or longer periods of time. If their care context prevents them from going to the regular library, volunteers come by with a book, CD or DVD to provide relaxation.

A book, a visit

Moreover, those volunteers make time for a chat or a fun activity together with the patients or residents. This is how we try to combat loneliness. In 2018, we opened our ^400th lending point! And meanwhile, the counter already stands at 409 lending points all over Flanders. To keep those 409 lending points running optimally, we were fortunately able to count on 759 volunteers. They colored the day of 112,889 people who called on the library service for hospitals and care institutions in 2018.

Every year, young people arrive in our country from Syria, Afghanistan or Congo, for example, without parents or another adult family member. In 2018, our guardians took in 292 of these unaccompanied minors.

Such a guardian's task is to look after and protect the minor's interests. Six guardians worked at Belgian Red Cross-Flanders in 2018, each taking care of at least 25 unaccompanied youth.

New terminology

By the way, did you know that in March the asylum terminology was changed? Thus, we no longer speak of an "asylum seeker," but of an "applicant for international protection." The way to submit such an application for international protection was also changed.

Find out more about our guardians here!

Belgian Red Cross-Flanders was active internationally in 2018 in 17 countries in Africa, the Middle East, Central America and Asia. In total, our projects there had a positive impact, directly or indirectly, on the lives of an estimated 520,000 people.

Some specific figures:

• some 3,400 people attended training in first aid. The impact of this is even greater than in Flanders, because in these parts of the world the proximity of a hospital or even a doctor is not so obvious.
• nearly 47,000 people learned about the importance of hand washing, toilet hygiene and clean water through our hygiene promotion. This is how we dramatically reduce the risk of spreading cholera and diarrhea, for example!

• In countries such as Syria, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Haiti and South Sudan, we provided assistance to some 430,000 people in emergency situations due to conflict or natural disasters by providing basic necessities (e.g., food or hygiene kits), medical treatment or psychosocial counseling.

Belgian Red Cross-Flanders is the largest volunteer organization in Belgium. Without our volunteers, Belgian Red Cross-Flanders could not play such an important role in the many fields in which it operates. Social assistance, mobile blood collections, helping vulnerable young people, disaster relief, ... you name it! Young and old dedicate themselves selflessly.

Did you know that 1 in 5 volunteers is between the ages of 20 and 29? 18% of our volunteers are between the ages of 60 and 70. So the young snobs can learn from the experienced ones... and vice versa! :-) By the way, did you know that most of these volunteers undergo regular training? So they can always help in a professional way!

Are you yourself interested in getting involved in helping others in your spare time? Then sign up here! On Volunteer Day, December 5, 2018, we made a video to thank all of our toppers for their enthusiasm and commitment.