Amid global insecurity and threats of terrorism, Hampshire Red Cross is gearing up for disasters in the UK.

While the aid agency is famous for providing food, water, medical and other relief to victims of famine and war, most recently in Iraq, it is, says the charity, just one part of the picture.

Relief work is also quietly carried out in this country after man-made and natural disasters, such as house fires and floods.

A Red Cross victim-support vehicle is permanently based at Hightown fire station in Southampton.

To mark Red Cross Week, which starts on Sunday (May 4th) the world's largest aid agency has announced it is "skilling up and scaling up" its existing emergency response capacity.

The aim is to provide a local response UK-wide to all major crisis, including acts of terrorism.

Mike Carter, senior fund-raiser at Winchester British Red Cross, said the aid agency was responding to what he described as "uncertain times."

"Today, we are all living under the very real threat of an attack here in the UK, and even major floods that used to take place every 100 years are happening more often in the UK.

"Five million people in the UK now live daily with the risk of flooding.

So, these emergency response teams have never been more vital."

Mr Carter said extra training would be provided to existing volunteers,

for example, in first aid and setting up rest centres for people evacuated from their homes.

In addition the charity hopes to recruit more volunteers.

The aid agency relies on a vast array of support staff, such as fund-raisers and administrators, IT staff and drivers to take patients to and from hospital as well as frontline aid workers. Mr Carter said: "We have got 1,500 volunteers in Hampshire at the moment but we are hoping to increase that number by about 15%."

Medical loans is also an important part of the charity's work helping to improve the lives of many.

"Last year in Hampshire we loaned 25,000 pieces of equipment, including wheelchairs, crutches, commodes and bath seats," said Mr Carter.

Red Cross Week is the society's major fund-raising event of the year.

People are being urged to dig deep into their pockets and give money to volunteers shaking tins in High Streets up and down the country next week.

n If you'd like to make a donation to the British Red Cross, telephone Deborah Edgington on 01962 865180.