The Red Cross Round-up

The Round-up offers a weekly sample of what our sister Red Cross Societies are working on around the world.

PHILIPPINES: Monsoon rains fuelled by Tropical Storm Trami have prompted a massive rescue and relief response by the Philippine Red Cross as floods swamp the capital and several provinces on the island of Luzon, affecting more than half a million people. The torrential rains and floods come a week after Typhoon Utor slammed into Luzon, and a year after monsoon rains marooned much of Manila and nearby provinces, displacing half a million people and prompting a major Red Cross intervention.  Since Monday morning, Philippine Red Cross emergency responders in elevated trucks, ambulances, an amphibious vehicle and boats have so far rescued over 150 people who were stranded by floodwater.  In addition to rescue and evacuation support, the Red Cross is providing immediate relief to families in evacuation centres. So far, some 1,500 affected individuals have been provided with ready-to-eat, hot meals.

NIGERIA: In 2012, communities close to the Niger River experienced severe flooding following heavy rains.  From the outset, the Nigerian Red Cross Society, in partnership with the IFRC, has been working in the 12 states that were worst affected. Over the past eight months, staff and volunteers have distributed emergency relief items and shelter materials, disseminated health and hygiene messages, promoted safe drinking water, and constructed latrines.  In Kogi State, 100 families in three communities, including Ozahi, are now being helped to repair or rebuild their homes.

SUDAN: Recent flash floods and heavy rains, which fell at the beginning of August, have left many people homeless. The Sudanese Red Crescent Society, with the support of the ICRC, has provided vital household essentials and shelter items to 12,000 severely affected people in Khartoum State, Dongola region and Wadi Halfa.

GLOSSARY:

IFRC = International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies