The Round-up offers a weekly sample of what our sister Red Cross Societies are working on around the world.
INDONESIA: The 8.7 earthquake that struck off the coast of the Indonesian Island of Sumatra on April 11 brought a fear that the region might see a repeat of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami which caused widespread devastation to coastal communities across thirteen countries. Fortunately the tsunami never materialized, but it was clear that this time, communities were significantly better prepared than in 2004. In Indonesia, sirens triggered by the national tsunami early warning system alerted people in towns and villages along the coast in Aceh, North Sumatra, West Sumatra and Bengkulu provinces and Indonesian Red Cross Society volunteers were on hand to help in the evacuation process. The Red Cross also played a vital role in communicating essential information though a local Red Cross radio station. The Red Cross has invested over $1.3 million US to put in place effective community-based early warning systems which include the training of volunteers, mock drills, and construction of community centres in safer locations, installation of warning sirens and identification of evacuation routes.
MALI: The crisis affecting northern Mali since mid-January has made it difficult for the population to obtain health care, water and food. Following violence and looting in early April, the ICRC and the Mali Red Cross are striving to meet some of the most acute needs. In Gao city, power shortages are posing a threat to the operation of the water-treatment plant and to the process of sinking of boreholes as a source of drinking water for the residents. Earlier this month, the ICRC supplied 20,000 litres of fuel to the power station in order to keep it running and maintain the water supply to tens of thousands of people. The organization plans to furnish 5,000 litres of fuel every day for a month.
GLOSSARY:
ICRC = International Committee of the Red Cross