The Round-up offers a weekly sample of what our sister Red Cross Societies are working on around the world.
SOMALIA: Thousands of people in northeast Puntland, Somalia are coming to grips with the effects of the cyclone that hit the area between November 8-10. The storm has left several areas inaccessible and cut off from communication, making it difficult to determine the real scale of the damage. The Somali Red Crescent Society mobilized its volunteers to evacuate people to safer ground and to provide first aid services. Volunteers are also collecting and burying dead livestock in an effort to stave off the breakout of disease. This week’s efforts will be concentrated in carrying out assessments in the eight most affected districts in the Nugal and Bari regions. Relief items will then be distributed based on the needs of affected families.
LEBANON: Two deadly explosions hit Beirut on November 19 near the Iranian embassy in Jnah district. According to the Lebanese Red Cross, at least 19 people were reported to have been killed and more than 116 injured. The Lebanese Red Cross emergency and first aid medical teams responded immediately. More than 50 first aiders and 14 ambulances were deployed in the explosion area to evacuate and transport the injured to nearby hospitals. A comprehensive survey in the affected area and surrounding buildings was carried out by volunteers to assess the damage. As the situation continues to unfold, teams will remain on the scene to ensure that they can provide immediate first aid and transportation where necessary. Lebanese Red Cross first aiders and volunteers are working closely with local authorities and other institutions to provide the needed support.
ITALY: Italian Red Cross staff and volunteers have been called to respond after torrential rains and a cyclone caused rivers to burst their banks killing at least 18 people on the island of Sardinia. Over a hundred Red Cross emergency responders have been busy supporting people affected by the disaster after up to 40cm of rain fell in just 24 hours as the storm, known as Cyclone Cleopatra, hit. The Red Cross has deployed 25 vehicles, while pneumatic tents are in place to shelter those whose homes were damaged by the storm.