Singapore, 6 April 2026 – Amid intensifying heat conditions and worsening transboundary haze episodes in the region, the Singapore Red Cross (SRC) has launched a structured ground response to support vulnerable communities at risk from heat stress and poor air quality.

Over the next three months, SRC will mobilise volunteers and community networks to support stay-alone elderly; children and youth from lower-income homes; persons with disabilities, and outdoor migrant workers through the sharing of heat and haze health information and distribution of care packs. SRC Academy’s Centre for Psychosocial Resilience & Humanitarian Studies will conduct heat resilience talks to outdoor migrant workers and share heat health resources on social media. As rising heat and haze increase the risk of illnesses and respiratory conditions, SRC’s Centre of Excellence for Pandemic Preparedness (CoEPP) has trained volunteers to identify and respond to early signs of distress.

“We have consistently incorporated heat health across our suite of local programmes. Our community responders are trained not only in First Aid, but also in Heat Injury Management. Our Day Activity Centre also acts as a cooling centre for persons with disabilities, and our care teams at the disability home ensure residents remain adequately hydrated throughout the day. On very hot days, our befriending volunteers constantly check-in with seniors to ensure their well-being. Over the past years, we have also spoken at several important local and regional events to advance heat health resilience, especially in support of vulnerable communities. The latest efforts are an extension of SRC’s ongoing thought leadership and sustained efforts in climate resilience, reflecting our long-standing commitment to strengthening community preparedness and protecting vulnerable groups from climate-related risks,” said Benjamin William, Secretary General/CEO of Singapore Red Cross. 

Community Outreach & Essential Care 

SRC volunteers who are trained to look out for symptoms of heat stress and heat stroke, on the effects of haze on health, on practical insights on heat and haze management, will be deployed for direct engagement and distribution of care packs to SRC’s beneficiaries across its local programmes. These care packs comprise essential protective resources, including cooling towels, face masks, water tumblers and portable fans. Each care package is thoughtfully curated to provide multi-layered protection against heat and haze, addressing three critical areas: 

• Air quality protection – to reduce exposure during haze conditions
• Heat management – to help regulate body temperature in high heat
• Hydration support –  to prevent dehydration and heat-related illnesses

SRC volunteers will visit beneficiaries’ homes to share tips to stay safe and cool, address cases of poor ventilation to mitigate risks, ensuring that they stay safe in their daily routines. 

Strengthening Heat Resilience Among Migrant Workers

Recognising that migrant workers are often exposed to prolonged heat and outdoor conditions, SRC will extend its outreach through the Singapore Red Cross Academy and SRC’s Community Health outreach for Wellness programme, to conduct talks for outdoor workers to  equip them with practical knowledge and skills, including:

• Understand heat stress and identifying high-risks situations
• Recognising early signs of heat-related illnesses heat-related illnesses
• Applying preventive measures to reduce risk

Public Education on Heat, Haze & Health

As part of the response efforts, the SRC is also launching a social media campaign to raise awareness of heat stress and drive simple, actionable behaviors to help individuals stay safe in increasingly hot conditions. The campaign will also encourage individuals to look out for more vulnerable groups, including seniors, family members, neighbours and individuals living alone; reinforcing the importance of collective action in building a more heat-resilient community.

Singapore Red Cross Secretary General/CEO Benjamin William explains, “Heat and haze stress does not affect everyone equally. For vulnerable communities such as the elderly, what may feel uncomfortable to them might escalate to something more serious. We are stepping up to protect those most at risk, and I urge the community to stand together and look out for one another.” 

Fundraising to further outreach  

To reach 10,000 individuals in the next three months, SRC is launching a local fundraising appeal to enable sustained support for vulnerable communities impacted by the intense weather conditions.