*Entry by Gina Holmes, Public Affairs team, Ottawa*
The Round-up offers a weekly sample of what our sister Red Cross Soci
eties are working on around the world.
INDIA: The monsoon is part of the yearly cycle of life in India, and has been for centuries. The people of Assam have been inundated and driven from their homes. Soil and paddy fields have been washed away in the deluge, and many homes have been flattened or submerged. Many lives have been lost, and at least 2.2 million have been affected by the most severe flooding Assam has seen in recent years. Since the onset of the disaster, the Indian Red Cross Society has been providing assistance, in particular in offering items such as blankets, tarpaulins, kitchen sets and clothing to those who have been worst affected. The Indian Red Cross Society will continue to scale up its response, focusing in particular on those who are living on embankments, as they are particularly vulnerable. Meeting basic medical needs will also be a priority.
SYRIA: Following the ongoing conflict, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has launched an emergency appeal to support the vital work of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) in assisting vulnerable people and communities. The 27.5 million Swiss franc (22.9 million Euro) appeal will help SARC to respond to the Syrian crisis and assist 200,000 people over the next 12 months with healthcare, emergency relief and livelihoods support.
GLOSSARY:
IFRC= International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies