Round-up: Red Cross supports communities in Paraguay and Vanuatu

PARAGUAY: Paraguay: In addition to tough climate, violence in the region has made things hard for local people. But times are changing. One hundred and seven families in Tacuatí Poty are the beneficiaries of an ICRC family-allotment program, carried out with the Paraguayan Red Cross, to help vulnerable rural families affected by the violence in the departments of Concepción and San Pedro.  The program provides tools, seed and training in crop management. It also furnishes the expensive wire, fabric and netting needed to create partial shade. In return, the families have to till the plots, fence off the allotments and do the actual gardening.

VANUATU:  When Tropical Cyclone Pam slammed into Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu, on Friday, March 13, the lives of thousands of people were shattered overnight. The government currently estimates that about 130,000 people from a total population of 277,061 have been affected. Aerial assessments and surveys from Red Cross volunteers in different provinces across Vanuatu report unprecedented damage to crops including banana, cassava, coconuts and vegetables.  The food security cluster is estimating that the food situation will become critical within the next two weeks. They are working with the government and logistics cluster so that routes to reach the outer islands are identified.  Canadians wishing to support Red Cross efforts can donate here.