The Round-up offers a weekly sample of what our sister Red Cross Societies are working on around the world.
JORDAN: Since the beginning of the crisis in Syria, National Societies in Lebanon and Jordan have mobilized teams of
staff and volunteers to respond to the influx of refugees in their countries. Their complementary role in responding to the Syrian crisis has been supported by a strong coordination between the different parts of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement. Lebanese Red Cross teams have been saving the lives of hundreds of people through first aid treatment, evacuation, hospital transfer services, transportation and support through blood units. Schools have been opened up to accommodate Syrian families who have no income to buy food, provisions and to meet the basic daily life needs. Through an emergency appeal, IFRC and the Jordan National Red Crescent Society are carrying out joint in-depth community and household assessments to gauge the possibility of cash assistance to vulnerable Syrian families. Plans also include the distribution of 25,000 blankets for winter months, as well as mattresses and kitchen sets.
SOUTH SUDAN: Severe water shortages in refugee camps close to the Sudanese border have contributed to a rise in mortality and malnutrition rates to alarming levels, in what is a major humanitarian crisis. The ICRC has launched a project to improve water access for about 37,000 people in Yusuf Batil camp.
GLOSSARY:
IFRC = International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
ICRC = International Committee of the Red Cross