Worldwide Wednesday Wrap-Up
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. It’s a non-comprehensive sampling of the larger and/or more intriguing aspects of our global work…
[The place names link to maps so that you can get a quick idea of the region.]
SAMOA: In response to the tsunami, the IFRC and Samoan Red Cross have been distributing relief supplies, including – of course – food and water, but also tools for farming and building shelters and women’s hygiene supplies. People on the ground have been coming together to support relief efforts. An American Peace Corps volunteer set up the Samoan Red Cross’ first ever website. And an independent filmmaker used his talents to document the resilience of the community (featuring Red Crossers among others).
AMERICAN SAMOA: The American Red Cross has sent both volunteers and supplies to the tsunami-stricken region. They’re assisting at least 2,000 families who may be out of homes for months and out of electricity for a year or more. Keep up-to-date with re-caps, video and photos from the response on the American Red Cross Disaster Online Newsroom.
INDONESIA: Relief efforts continue in response to the recent earthquake in Sumatra. Red Crossers have had to find ways into remote villages blocked off by landslides. The British Red Cross shares an audio report from the leader of an emergency response unit distributing supplies.
PHILIPPINES: The ICRC is helping to improve hygiene and sanitation in flood-affected prisons.
SOMALIA: “This weekend the Somalia Red Crescent Society sent two war surgeons and an anaesthetist to Kismayo to support the local hospital,” says Dr Ahmed M. Hassan, the Somali Red Crescent president. “They took 400 kg of surgical supplies from the ICRC with them which were urgently needed for the treatment of war-wounded patients.”
One thought on “Worldwide Wednesday Wrap-Up”
Don't forget that your own organization also responds to international disasters. The American Red Cross sent $100,000 from the International Response Fund to Samoa following the tsunami. They provided $1 million and three disaster responders for Southeast Asia typhoon relief. And contributed an additional $1 million and three disaster responders to Indonesia following two deadly quakes.
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