The Round-up offers a weekly sample of what our sister Red Cross Societies are working on around the world.
SYRIA: The Syrian Arab Red Crescent is working with the Danish Red Cross to offer psychosocial support to 60 families in a communal
shelter. In total, the Syrian Arab Red Crescent has 33 psychosocial support mobile teams working in all Syrian governorates. The psychosocial needs of Syria’s internally displaced people are huge. To meet this need, the Syrian Arab Red Crescent is ensuring its psychosocial support workers are undertaking training courses. So far this year, a range of general courses have been held, as well as specific ones targeted at mothers, children, and psychosocial first aid and self-care.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: More than 40,000 people have fled from the Central African Republic into the Democratic Republic of Congo over the past year. Although there is a United Nations camp where consistent support would be provided, many are choosing to live along the Ubangi River as it is close to their home and they are able to fish and supplement their diet. Their needs are huge. If they have not settled with host families, they are living in temporary shelters made of wood and branches. Malaria and waterborne diseases, such as diarrhea and skin diseases, are rampant. To date, the Red Cross of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has mobilized more than 8,500 volunteers to provide the maximum amount of assistance to these extremely vulnerable people. Staff and volunteers at the local Red Cross will implement a wide range of activities, including the provision of shelter, conducting awareness sessions in communities on proper hygiene and disease prevention, reuniting families who were separated during their flight to safety, and improving access to safe water and latrines.