This Weekly Worldwide Wrap-Up is courtesy of Scott Waggoner, from Cross Blog: Award-winning Red Cross news and views from Oregon and beyond
Welcome to the Weekly Worldwide 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…
BANGLADESH: Heavy rains last week have caused floods and catastrophic landslides in southeast Bangladesh, leaving 110 dead and nearly 300,000 people without secure accommodation. Volunteers from the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society have been helping in search and rescue operations, and also giving first aid, food and clean water to those affected. If rain continues at current levels, it is likely that livelihood dependent on agriculture will be severely affected by flood damage to rice-paddy fields and loss of livestock.
SOMALIA: One year after the peak of the nutritional crisis in Somalia, the ICRC continues to respond to both emergency and long-term needs. The ICRC helps in a variety of different ways, each designed to address specific needs. At times of crisis, relief is provided while preparing at the same time to help people restore their livelihoods by distributing tools and seed, upgrading farm infrastructure and taking various micro-economic initiatives.
KENYA: Staff and volunteer from the Kenya Red Cross Society were among the first on scene following two horrific church bombings in the north east part of the country earlier this week. The Kenya Red Cross Society deployed a medical team and an additional ambulance from the Dadaab refugee camp. The society was also able to respond to a government request for additional surgeons, anesthetists and blood supplies, which had been exhausted.
NIGERIA: The ICRC is providing a surgical team for selected hospitals where casualties were taken following recent violence between farming and nomadic communities. Additionally, the ICRC is providing support to expand the Nigerian Red Cross’ community-based first-aid activities. Nigerian Red Cross volunteers are present throughout the country and are often the first to reach, treat and collect people injured in violence.
GLOSSARY:
ICRC = International Committee of the Red Cross
IFRC = International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
PHOTO:
Bangladesh Red Crescent volunteers in a search and rescue operation after a mud slide. (Bangladesh Red Crescent)