Stephane Michaud with the Democratic Republic of Congo Red Cross Secretary General, Adolphe Dougs Salumu MulendaToday’s photo comes from Stephane Michaud of the Canadian Red Cross, who works on the Emergencies and Recovery Team. Stephane is currently in the Democratic Republic of Congo to support the Congolese Red Cross in assisting an increasing number of refugees that have fled from the fighting in Central African Republic. In January, the number of refugees was at 4,000 and it has now climbed to over 20,000.
To support the Congolese Red Cross in assessing the situation, a small Red Cross Field Assessment Coordination Team (FACT), arrived in the country on Sunday, March 3rd. The FACT has so far met with the management of the Congolese Red Cross, as well as volunteers and staff who had just returned from delivering initial assistance to the refugees. The Congolese Red Cross will be implementing any activity that may come out of the assessment. Support to the host communities and services to vulnerable groups, including a large proportion of unaccompanied minors, will be considered a priority.