Welcome to "What in the World, Wednesday" in which we consolidate the international Red Cross and Red Crescent news into one list of bite-sized links for you. It's a non-comprehensive sampling of the larger and/or more intriguing aspects of our global work...
RUSSIA: The Russian Red Cross is providing assistance in 22 villages after massive flooding destroyed homes.
INDONESIA: The Indonesian Red Cross is responding to two disasters at once. The eruption of Mt. Merapi has displaced more than 8,000 people. Volunteers are supporting the evacuation process, providing medical care and establishing field kitchens. Tragically, one volunteer lost his life while helping to evacuate residents from the eruption zone. At the same time, search and rescue teams are bringing tents and body bags to the Mentawai islands where an earthquake-triggered tsunami has killed hundreds and left hundreds more missing.
MALAWI: More than 220,000 people are now protected from malaria thanks to a large-scale distribution of mosquito nets by the Malawi Red Cross.
SOMALIA: In recent months, hundreds of civilians have been wounded in fighting and thousands more forced to flee their homes. The ICRC continues to provide hundreds of thousands of people with food, medical assistance and other aid.
HAITI: In response to the cholera outbreak, the Haitian Red Cross sent medical supplies to the main hospital in Saint Marc, including intraveneous fluids, antibiotics and first aid kits, to support patient treatment. Hundreds of hygiene promotion volunteers are also being trained in cholera preparedness and prevention. They'll travel door to door across camps. Local radio networks, text messages and Haitian media are also being used to disseminate cholera prevention information as widely as possible.
GLOSSARY:
ICRC = International Committee of the Red Cross
IFRC = International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
IFRC = International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
