The Round-up offers a weekly sample of what our sister Red Cross Societies are working on around the world.
SRI LANKA: An estimated 107,000
people have been affected by heavy rains and extensive floods in western districts of Sri Lanka. The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society in affected districts deployed disaster response teams to carry out assessments, assist the emergency services and rescue teams who have been evacuating people to safety, and provided relief assistance. To date, non-food relief items consisting of hygiene items, kitchen sets, clothes, lanterns, jerry cans, and mosquito nets have been distributed in Kalutara. First aid services were also provided to people with minor injuries.
INTERNATIONAL: The power of cinema and radio are being used in Rwanda and Burundi to improve health, resilience and communication with vulnerable communities. Red Cross National Societies in both countries are now using live radio programs and touring mobile cinemas to provide vital information to communities on how to prevent diseases like malaria and cholera, and how to prepare for disasters. The activities also encourage feedback and participation from communities, giving valuable insight into the challenges people face and how the Red Cross can better help them. In 2014, the radio broadcasts and mobile cinema will be expanded into new districts, reaching thousands of people in Burundi and Rwanda each month, ensuring communities have the knowledge they need to stay safe and healthy, as well as providing a channel to feedback critical information to the Red Cross about their problems and needs.