Emergency Social Services (ESS) provide immediate assistance to people displaced by emergencies and disasters, including temporary shelter, food, clothing, and family reunification support. ESS programs are typically shared responsibilities: provinces establish frameworks and provide training and resources, while municipalities deliver services locally, often supplemented by partner organizations like the Red Cross and community agencies. When emergencies displace residents—whether from fires, floods, or evacuations—ESS workers register evacuees, assess needs, provide essentials, and connect people with ongoing support. Volunteers play crucial roles, and many municipalities maintain trained ESS volunteer teams. Services emphasize meeting basic needs while people cannot return home, with longer-term recovery supports transitioning to other programs. ESS activation occurs during declared emergencies or when local authorities determine need exists.