The Round-up offers a weekly sample of what our sister Red Cross Societies are working on around the world.
Italy: Volunteers from the Italian Red Cross have been on alert to provide humanitarian assistance to a growing number of migrants from Syria and Libya who have landed in the Sicilian towns of Pozzallo, Augusta, Porto Empedocle, and on the island of Lampedusa. Tents, ambulances and buses, along with 80 well-equipped volunteers, were ready to receive the 289 migrants who landed on February 15th in the port of Pozzallo. The Red Cross volunteers assisted another 280 migrants who arrived the previous day in the town. The numbers of people arriving to Italy on boats continue to increase. The Red Cross continues to monitor the situation.
Liberia: The Liberia Red Cross National Society has launched an anti-stigma song to support the reintegration of Ebola survivors into their communities. This initiative is part of the Red Cross Ebola response in Liberia. "Let Us Live Together Again" aims to raise public awareness of discrimination against Ebola survivors. It promotes values such as tolerance, solidarity and compassion and encourages families and community members to welcome, accept and live together with those who have survived the disease./liberia-ebola-song.jpg.aspx?width=600&height=336 "liberia-ebola-song.jpg")
More than 22, 938 people have been affected by Ebola since March 2014, with more than 99 per cent of all cases in the three hardest-hit countries - Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Since the Ebola outbreak began, the Red Cross has been conducting Ebola preparedness and response activities in 16 West African countries, with programs aimed at reaching 39 million and preventing further spread of the virus. Canadians wishing to support the Red Cross response in the West Africa can make a financial donation to the West Africa Ebola Fund online at www.redcross.ca, by calling 1-800-418-1111, or by contacting their local Red Cross office.