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.

UKRAINE: Since the outbreak of fighting in eastern Ukraine last year, people have been fleeing from the region for their safety, for their lives. Current estimates are that over 1.3 million people are displaced within Ukraine, and 800,000 more have fled to other countries.

The Ukrainian Red Cross has put all of its available resources into responding to the crisis. However, there seems to be no end to the challenges individuals must face, as the unstable situation in the wake of the Maidan protests and the outbreak of conflict in the east produces an ever-growing number of displaced people. The National Society has been able to count on the support of many partners – from the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, as well as United Nations’ agencies.

Throughout the country, the Red Cross has been providing food, shelter, blankets, kitchen sets, clothing, children's toys, hygiene kits and cleaning items. With such huge numbers in need, resources are stretched, but the Red Cross in Ukraine focuses its efforts on helping those in the greatest need.   

IRAQ: Tens of thousands have fled the recent fighting in Ramadi, the capital of Iraq's Anbar province. They have found shelter in makeshift camps in the Buzeibiz Bridge area of Baghdad. 

Food, water and health care are hard to come by and people have no choice but to live in overcrowded tents, awaiting aid from humanitarian organizations. The ICRC has provided food, cooking utensils, jerrycans, blankets, soap and other emergency supplies to thousands of people who have recently arrived from Ramadi.