At Bermuda Red Cross, we see the answer more clearly than most — and it should concern us all.

Vulnerability in Bermuda is often hidden in plain sight. It is the senior quietly rationing medication to make ends meet. An individual managing a chronic illness without reliable access to essential equipment. The family that has not prepared for a storm — not because they do not care, but because they do not know how or cannot afford to.

These are not isolated stories. They are warning signals.

More people in Bermuda are living closer to the edge than we might think — where a single disruption can quickly become a crisis and undo stability built over years.

Emergencies do not impact everyone equally. A hurricane, a prolonged power outage or a sudden health crisis can be manageable for some but devastating for others. Those already facing health challenges, financial strain or limited mobility face a very different reality. Without preparation, a reliable support network or understanding of the resources and support available to them, recovery becomes harder — it can quickly become overwhelming and can spiral into a long-term setback.

What is most alarming is the growing gap between risk and readiness.

Too many people in our community are simply underprepared. They do not have an emergency plan and lack basic supplies and understanding of services and resources available to them. In a place where we are exposed to hurricanes and strong winter storms, this is not just a personal risk, it is a community-wide vulnerability.

At the same time, an ageing population and rising rates of chronic illness mean more individuals depend on stability to maintain independence. When that stability is disrupted — whether by disaster or personal crisis — the consequences can be immediate and severe.

But this is not inevitable.

We can keep reacting after the fact. Or we can do more, as a community, earlier, to make sure people are prepared.

This is where Bermuda Red Cross plays a vital role. Our work extends well beyond emergency response. We equip individuals with the knowledge and tools to prepare. We provide access to medical equipment that allows people to live safely and independently. And when emergencies occur, we deliver timely, targeted support to those who need it most.

In the past year alone, more than 1,300 people were trained in first aid and emergency response. Over 900 individuals accessed medical equipment through our programmes, helping them recover safely at home. And for those affected by crisis, psychosocial support helped individuals and families begin to stabilise and move forward.

Still, no single organisation can close this gap on its own.

This work depends on strong partnerships across Bermuda. We work closely with government, healthcare providers, community organisations and businesses — from the Ministry of Health, and Department of Child and Family Services to organisations like Home and Family Centre, as well as private-sector partners supporting preparedness and response.

These relationships help ensure we reach those most at risk, coordinate effectively in moments of crisis, and build support systems that reflect the realities people are facing.

We also operate a community thrift shop, which provides affordable access to essential goods — and, in moments of crisis, can be a lifeline for individuals and families starting over.

Building a more prepared Bermuda takes all of us. It means putting real focus on prevention, not just response. And it means recognising that preparedness is not an extra, it is part of how we look after each other.

It also means being honest about how these systems work. The support people rely on in a crisis does not just appear. It exists because it is built, maintained, and supported over time.

And perhaps most importantly, we need to let go of the idea that vulnerability belongs to someone else. It does not. It can affect any of us — through illness, job loss, or an unexpected turn. Strengthening support for those most at risk ultimately makes all of us more secure.

So, the question is not whether Bermuda will face another emergency.

It is whether we will be ready — and whether we will make sure that no one is left to face it alone.

At Bermuda Red Cross, we see every day what preparedness makes possible. It protects independence. It preserves dignity. And in difficult moments, it gives people something simple but powerful — a sense that they can get through what comes next, together.

Because resilience is not built in the moment of crisis. It is built in the choices we make today.

• Ann Spencer-Arscott is executive director, Bermuda Red Cross.This op-ed is part of the Third Sector Spotlight Series, a collective campaign co-ordinated by the Non-Profit Alliance of Bermuda. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the value, impact and contributions of Bermuda’s non-profit sector