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.

RWANDA: In 1994, Rwanda witnessed 100 days of unimaginable atrocities. Starting on April 7, the unfolding genocide left the nation in great turmoil and resulted in the loss of an estimated 800,000 lives, the rampant sexual abuse of thousands of women, and the orphaning of one million children. Although united in their efforts to keep their hard earned peace, the wounds of 20 years ago heal slowly, making forgiveness a battle within the heart of every survivor. Re-established after the events of 1994, the Rwanda Red Cross Society was one of many organizations striving to help the nation recover. Over the years, it has assisted 14,000 orphans and other vulnerable children in areas of shelter, education, nutrition, health, psychosocial counseling and social-economic development.
 
SOLOMAN ISLANDS:  On April 3, flash flooding triggered by prolonged heavy rainfall swept through the Solomon Islands, killing at least 17 people and leaving more than 20 missing. An initial assessment estimated that 12,000 people in the capital city of Honiara were affected. Another 37,000 people across Guadalcanal province were displaced when the Mataniko River burst its banks and carried entire riverside communities away. The flooding in Honiara forced staff from the Solomon Islands Red Cross to evacuate from their headquarters and establish an Emergency Operations Centre at the Honiara Hotel from where they have been coordinating relief efforts. More than 10,000 people remain sheltered in 26 evacuation centres set up around the city. Red Cross teams assisted in the evacuation of vulnerable communities along the Mataniko River and registered people in shelters. Emergency response teams deployed to the main evacuation centres have been working with other relief agencies and the National Disaster Management Office to distribute food and non-food relief items.

GLOSSARY:
IFRC = International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies