The Round-up offers a weekly sample of what our sister Red Cross Societies are working on around the world.
SOUTH SUDAN: After some hard training, South Sudan Red Cross volunteers were ready for their first task: to monitor and assist people attending the celebrations to mark the birth of the Republic of Southern Sudan. At temporary clinics established by the Ministry of Health and the military medical corps, volunteers divided into small groups to cover the whole venue, moving among the gathered crowds with stretchers and first aid boxes.
HAITI: The Haitian National Red Cross Society and its international partners have handed over management of its water supply projects to DINEPA, the Haitian government’s water authority. “The Red Cross has been distributing close to two million litres of safe drinking water every day during the on-going emergency phase in Haiti” said Omar Robinson, water and sanitation coordinator for IFRC. “But to support Haitian economic recovery, it is vital that we transition these services back to the authorities and we are committed to working closely with DINEPA over the upcoming months to help build their capacity.”
TURKEY: Over 10,000 Syrians, fleeing domestic unrest, have been living in six ‘tent cities’ near the border for over a month. The camps are run by the Turkish government, while relief supplies and personnel are being supplied by the Turkish Red Crescent Society.
GLOSSARY:
ICRC = International Committee of the Red Cross
IFRC = International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies