Weekly Worldwide Wrap-Up

BRAZIL: The worst mudslides in 40 years left many people in isolated areas unable to contact the outside world. The Brazilian Red Cross and the ICRC have been making satellite phones available, so that people in the affected areas can reassure their worried relatives that they are safe and well.

COLOMBIA: Around 23,000 victims of recent flooding have received food, seed and basic necessities from the ICRC and the Colombian Red Cross.

TUNISIA: The security situation and humanitarian conditions in Tunisia remain unsettled. One of the ICRC’s major priorities is to get access to the many people arrested by the security forces, in the past few days especially, in order to check on how they are being treated and to send news to their families.

SRI LANKA: Major flooding has affected one million people. Red Cross staff and volunteers have been assisting in evacuation, cleaning hospitals, providing boat service, relocating the displaced and distributing bottled water, food and relief items to the affected communities.

BANGLADESH: Tropical Bangladesh has been experiencing a severe and unprecedented cold wave. The Bangladesh Red Crescent is putting together a “first warm clothes” package to assist more than 30,000 people.

GLOSSARY:

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