Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers across Africa are revolutionizing first aid, transforming it from a specialized skill to a community-wide lifeline. In Uganda, for instance, the Uganda Red Cross Society has trained over 18,000 boda-boda riders in first aid through the SAFE STEPS campaign, a program that combines road safety awareness with first aid training. This initiative has empowered riders like Luyambi John, who can now provide critical care in emergency situations.
The Uganda Red Cross Society has also launched the First Aid Blended Learning platform, a cutting-edge app designed in collaboration with the Belgian Red Cross. This platform offers a combination of self-paced online study and practical sessions, aiming to train 2,500 new first aiders by the end of 2025. Secretary General Robert Kwesiga emphasizes that first aid should be accessible to all, as it strengthens emergency response and builds safer, more resilient communities.
In other parts of Africa, similar initiatives are underway. In Lesotho, the Lesotho Red Cross Society has partnered with local taxi associations to train drivers as first responders. Meanwhile, in Chad, volunteers are being trained as trainers, creating a ripple effect that ensures consistency and professionalism in first aid skills. In Cameroon, the Red Cross is focusing on teaching first aid to children and teenagers during school holidays, instilling confidence and reflexes that may one day turn them into heroes.
These efforts demonstrate a continental thread, where first aid is becoming an integral part of African communities. Technology, partnerships, and empowerment of children and youth are breaking barriers, redefining what it means to be prepared for emergencies. As Africa’s Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies continue to innovate and expand their reach, they are building a continent where resilience begins in every home, every street, and every school. By ensuring that the first hands to reach out in an emergency know what to do, they are not only saving lives but also fostering a culture of preparedness and community-wide support.
