The strain on the Help Line 1717 and on Vin has increased a great deal since the downfall of the Icelandic Economy. The Directorate of Labour in Iceland and the Red Cross are collaborating on assisting people who want to stay active in the community through volunteer work, and Divisions of the Icelandic Red Cross have offered assistance such as free education and courses, especially as regards psychological support. The Red Cross plans to utilise the Aurora Charity Fund's contribution to strengthen all these operations.

Kristján Sturluson, Secretary General of the Icelandic Red Cross, says that the support from the Aurora Fund will obviously come in good use at times when the need for help is increasing due to the financial crisis: "Aurora's contribution allows us to strengthen the Red Cross's reactions to the economic strife all over the country."

Aurora Board Reasoning:

The Icelandic Red Cross is highly respected for its extensive humanitarian aid both locally and abroad – where professionalism and selflessness are always at the forefront. The Aurora Foundation decided to assist those who suffer as a result of the economic crisis in Iceland, and collaboration with the Icelandic Red Cross seemed the most feasible way to approach said goal. Sometimes it can be difficult to seek help within the social system, seeing as how small the communities can be and the proximity to the neighbour uncomfortably close. The Red Cross, however, is not as related to their clients' near-environment and has an air of partiality. The three projects that Aurora is supporting this year all serve different groups that need help.

• The Help Line is a toll free number that is open 24 hours a day for those who need assistance due to anxiety, depression, sadness, or even suicidal thoughts. 1717 answered more than 20.000 calls in 2008, which is a great increase from the year before. The strain on the Help Line in October and November 2008 had increased more than 40% from the year before.
• The Red Cross's actions for the unemployed and others who are having difficulties as a result of the economic crisis. Divisions of the Icelandic Red Cross have offered psychological support, counselling, education, and free courses to assist people in adjusting to the new situation. The Icelandic Red Cross is building on the experience of the economic crisis in Finland a few years ago. There, like here, individuals and families were suddenly confronted with a loss of livelihood and the accompanying difficulties.  
• The effects of the economic crisis on Vin's operations are not as evident as those regarding the Help Line, but will undoubtedly manifest themselves more clearly in the coming seasons. Around 27 people visited the shelter daily in 2008. Their numbers increased significantly during the last few months of the year, as did the dinner guests. The Red Cross' employees and volunteers perceive an increase in their visitors' worries regarding their future and their livelihood – not in the least due to an increase in food prices and service charges of all kinds. Tension, bitterness, uncertainty, and anxiety in the society at large have a large impact on those who are weak to begin with.