The Round-up offers a weekly sample of what our sister Red Cross Societies are working on around the world.
EL SALVADOR: As part of its response to a recent outbreak of dengue in El Salvador, and with funding from the
European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO) and the IFRC, the Salvadorean Red Cross carried out a range of dengue-prevention activities, including public education and awareness campaigns in communities and schools. The Red Cross also helped to control or clean up mosquito breeding sites – such as pools of rainwater – that could be a cause of infection. In addition to educational outreach, the Red Cross, in partnership with the government, began a program of household fumigation, treating more than 47,000 homes that were vulnerable to mosquito infestation.
CHILE: The earthquake that struck Chile three years ago was one of the largest to have struck the planet since records began. The Chilean Red Cross, with support from the IFRC, was one of the first organizations into affected areas. The primary focus was to provide direct humanitarian assistance where it was needed – search and rescue, shelter, aid and psychosocial support – but there was also a keen understanding that the Red Cross needed to strengthen its capacities, leaving it better placed to deal with future crises and to fulfill its humanitarian mandate. Three years later, the Chilean Red Cross, through extensive training and development, has emerged as a stronger, more resilient and more professional organization able to respond effectively to large and small disasters across the country.
SYRIA: Dozens of people are dying every day because of limited access to proper health-care services and shortages of essential medical supplies. The ICRC and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent are doing their utmost to help save lives by donating much-needed supplies throughout the country.
GLOSSARY:
IFRC = International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
ICRC =International Committee of the Red Cross