70 candles for Defender and British Red Cross | Formulapassion.it

The partnership between Defender and the British Red Cross turns 70. It all started with the very first Series Land Rover, which made its debut at the Amsterdam Motor Show in April 1948, and entered service with the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in 1954. Today, Defender’s commitment to supporting communities in crisis continues with the realisation of its latest flagship project, fittingly in Italy, the birthplace 160 years ago of the world’s largest humanitarian organisation.

Defender 130 Delivered to the Italian Red Cross

During the celebration commemorating the beginning of the Movement, imagined for the first time 160 years ago by the founder Henry Dunant in Solferino, it was delivered to the Italian Red Cross a Defender 130 specially equipped for emergency response. Equipped with advanced satellite communications hardware, the 130 will provide continuous nationwide connectivity and access in the most difficult to reach locations in the event of an emergency. The new vehicle has been modified with the support of specialists from the Italian Red Cross to handle extraordinary emergencies and will ensure that the mobilization of relief is never compromised by cellular network interruptions, a common problem during environmental disasters, such as floods and landslides.

A satellite dish mounted on the roof of the vehicle

The pioneering project uses satellite technology, with a dish mounted on the roof of the vehicle. This solution is already used by the Italian Red Cross’ static emergency units, but is being used for the first time on the Defender 130 Outbound mobile unit, designed to tackle the most challenging terrain and conditions. The vehicle is also equipped with a winch and tow bar, allowing it to make full use of the Defender’s 3,000kg towing capacity. 130 Outbound. Defender works with the British Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), helping vulnerable communities prepare for, respond to and recover from crises around the world. Over seven decades, the partnership is estimated to have positively impacted the lives of more than two million people in more than 50 countries.

Positively impacting over two million lives worldwide

“The long-standing partnership between Defender and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement shows what can be achieved when we work together with consistent dedication,” explains Mark Cameron, Managing Director of Defender. “To date, our partnership with the British Red Cross and the IFRC has positively impacted over two million lives around the world. What began in the deserts of Dubai and the forest villages of Kenya in 1954 has become part of our DNA. Together, we provide vital assistance to humanity, often where there are no roads and in the most difficult conditions. I hope we will continue to help those most in need for another seven decades.”