New outreach drive aims to help 10,000 people cope with rising heat and haze

As Singapore faces hotter days and hazier conditions, the Singapore Red Cross is expanding its community response with a targeted plan to protect seniors and other vulnerable groups before the situation worsens.

Red Cross Launches New Heat and Haze Outreach

The Singapore Red Cross has begun a new islandwide outreach effort to support vulnerable residents dealing with extreme heat and haze. The initiative started on April 6 and will run over the next three months, with volunteers distributing care packs and sharing practical health advice with beneficiaries across the country.

This marks the first time the humanitarian organization has rolled out care packs specifically designed to protect people from both heat and haze. The move comes as Singapore experiences scorching weather, with daily maximum temperatures in the first half of April expected to exceed 35 degrees Celsius in some areas.

Seniors Living Alone Are the First Priority

The first phase of the outreach is focused on seniors who are especially vulnerable, particularly those above 80 years old and living alone. Around 75 individuals were prioritized at the start, many of whom are already part of SRC programs such as Home Monitoring and Eldercare services or the ElderAid program.

Among the first beneficiaries was 83-year-old Magdalene Tan, who received a care pack at her Hougang flat on April 6. She was given items including a portable fan, face masks, and reminders about hydration and signs of dehydration. Like many elderly residents without air conditioning, she said she had been feeling the effects of the rising temperatures more intensely in recent weeks.

700 Volunteers to Reach 10,000 People

Over the next three months, SRC plans to mobilize about 700 volunteers to support this response. Together with community partners, the organization aims to reach 10,000 people, starting with seniors before extending support to other at-risk groups.

These groups include children and youth from lower-income families, persons with disabilities, and outdoor migrant workers. SRC said heat and haze do not affect everyone equally, and vulnerable communities often face more serious health risks even when others experience only discomfort.

Education Is a Key Part of the Plan

Beyond distributing items, the Red Cross is also focusing heavily on education. Care packs include pamphlets in English, Chinese, Malay, and Tamil, explaining how to stay safe during heatwaves and hazy periods. Volunteers are also sharing guidance on hydration, recognizing dehydration, and reducing exposure to unhealthy air.

SRC will also conduct talks for outdoor workers, who face prolonged exposure to high temperatures. These sessions are meant to equip them with practical skills such as spotting early warning signs of heat-related illness and taking preventive action before symptoms worsen.

More Support May Be Needed in the Months Ahead

SRC officials said the organization had noticed growing concern among beneficiaries over the past year, especially among seniors living alone. Feedback from volunteers and staff during home visits showed increasing stress and discomfort linked to the heat and haze, prompting the launch of a more structured response plan.

The organization is also preparing for the possibility that conditions may worsen in the second half of the year, especially with forecasts pointing to the arrival of El Nino, which is associated with hotter and drier weather. SRC said it will continue monitoring the situation and could consider longer-term support, including ensuring that vulnerable residents have basic cooling tools such as fans.

More Support May Be Needed in the Months Ahead

SRC officials said the organization had noticed growing concern among beneficiaries over the past year, especially among seniors living alone. Feedback from volunteers and staff during home visits showed increasing stress and discomfort linked to the heat and haze, prompting the launch of a more structured response plan.

The organization is also preparing for the possibility that conditions may worsen in the second half of the year, especially with forecasts pointing to the arrival of El Nino, which is associated with hotter and drier weather. SRC said it will continue monitoring the situation and could consider longer-term support, including ensuring that vulnerable residents have basic cooling tools such as fans.

Singapore Red Cross is moving early to reduce the risks that extreme heat and haze pose to the country’s most vulnerable residents. By combining practical aid, volunteer outreach, education, and fund-raising, the organization is building a community-based response that goes beyond emergency relief. For Singaporeans, this effort highlights the growing importance of climate preparedness at the neighborhood level. For Indonesians and Singaporeans alike, it also reflects a broader regional reality that hotter weather, haze, and climate-linked stress will increasingly require stronger public awareness and social protection.

Sources: The Straits Times (2026) , CNA (2026)

Keywords: Singapore Red Cross, Heat And Haze, Elderly Support, Volunteer Outreach, Benjamin William, Charis Chan