Welcome to the Worldwide Wednesday Wrap-Up, in which we consolidate the international Red Cross and Red Crescent news into one list of bite-sized links for you…

[The place names link to maps so that you can get a quick idea of the region.]

NEPAL: Diarrhoea outbreak kills hundreds. Yes, you read that right. More than 200 Red Crossers are traveling throughout the countryside bringing oral rehydration sachets, chlorine tablets for water sanitation, and hygeine education materials to help stop the spread of the infectious bacteria.

MONGOLIA: Speaking of diarrhoea, flooding the in the Ulaanbaatar area has led to latrine overflows, creating a high risk for outbreak of diarrheoa and other bacterial infections. Red Crossers are hitting the streets with hygeine education to stem off the spread.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO: According to a study by the ICRC, the number of cases of sexual violence in eastern Congo has been increasing. The ICRC provides support for 37 counseling centers for survivors of sexual violence.

FIJI: Another study by a group of University of the South Pacific students – commissioned by the ICRC – dispels the perception that international humanitarian law “embodies a purely Western set of values.” The study reveals centuries-old Pacific island rituals that “protected women and children, captive warriors or stocks of food during times of war.” Read the full text of the study here.

GLOSSARY:
ICRC = International Committee of the Red Cross
IFRC = International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies