WEST AFRICA: 14 countries are battling a polio outbreak. The IFRC is mobilizing massive immunization campaigns.

SOUTHERN AFRICA: Flooding is expected to worsen. Despite major logistical difficulties caused rising water, Red Cross societies are still providing aid to the people they can reach.

AFGHANISTAN: The ICRC provides medical assistance to the war-wounded.

ITALY: “…No war, but the city looks as if it has been ruined by heavy bombing,” says an Italian Red Cross worker of the damage caused by this week’s earthquake. The American Red Cross has contributed $50,000 to the relief efforts.

WORLDWIDE WEB: The IFRC and ICRC are launching a joint online initiative to raise awareness of the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges and to show what individuals are doing to make a meaningful difference. If you’d like a more detailed, visual and interactive view of worldwide Red Cross/Red Crescent efforts, I encourage you to explore this new website.