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…

JAPAN: With support from around the world, the Japanese Red Cross is assisting tsunami survivors as they begin moving into temporary housing.

NEW ZEALAND: The New Zealand Red Cross has provided assistance to 47,800 people affected by the Christchurch earthquake with support from other Red Cross societies, including the American Red Cross, which contributed $772,000 toward the relief efforts.

PARAGUAY: Red Crossers are helping fight what the Minister of Health has called “the worst dengue outbreak in the history of our country.”

NAMIBIA: In response to floods that forced 37,000 people from their homes, hundreds of Namibia Red Cross volunteers have been on the ground assisting people to relocate, distributing mosquito nets and water purification tablets, while carrying out health awareness campaigns to prevent a major outbreak of waterborne diseases.

Côte d’Ivoire: Enhancing medical care for conflict survivors, the ICRC and the Red Cross Society of Côte d’Ivoire are stepping up their support for medical facilities in the country and are beginning to operate mobile clinics in Abidjan.

NEPAL: Experts from nine countries gathered in Kathmandu to participate in an eight-day training course on international humanitarian law jointly organized by the ICRC and the Kathmandu School of Law.

LIBYA: This week 618 foreign nationals were evacuated by sea from the city of Misrata by the ICRC with support from the Libyan Red Crescent. The ICRC is also sending another ship to Misrata with medical supplies, hygiene kits, food items and 8,000 liters of drinking water.

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