The Round-up offers a weekly sample of what our sister Red Cross Societies are working on around the world.
JAPAN: One of the main actions taken by the Japanese Red Cross Society has been the setting up of 12 water tanks for hand washing, in line with the Red Cross Red Crescent guidelines for water, sanitation and hygiene promotion in emergency situations. The Japanese Red Cross Society has decided to invest part of the funds donated by National Societies from across the world in water and sanitation to help improve sanitary conditions in the evacuation centres and the health of the hundreds of people who are accommodated in them.
HAITI: Mobile phone technology is being used to bring life saving information to millions of Haitians. The Red Cross has embarked on a nationwide malaria prevention campaign, sending over 3.5 million text messages which include information on how malaria is transmitted, how to recognize the symptoms, treatment options, and simple steps for prevention.
CÔTE D’IVOIRE: For tens of thousands of displaced people in the west and most refugees in neighbouring Liberia, it is still too dangerous to return home. The Ivorian Red Cross and the ICRC are distributing supplies and food, making drinking water available and supporting medical facilities.
GLOSSARY:
ICRC = International Committee of the Red Cross
IFRC = International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies