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Red
Cross and Red Crescent to map out long-term tsunami action plan 2 March 2005 More than 100 representatives from the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement are gathering in Hong Kong, to set out its long-term plan of action for survivors of the devastating earthquake and tsunami of last December 26. The disaster left more than 286,000 people dead, 7,900 missing and more than 1.6 million displaced in a dozen countries of south Asia and eastern Africa. The Hong Kong Forum, which will be held from 3 to 5 March, will bring together representatives of some 50 Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Federation’s secretariat, United Nations (UN) agencies and other major organizations involved in delivering humanitarian assistance to the survivors. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is one of the largest humanitarian actors in the affected countries. “The meeting will be an opportunity to take stock of the situation and look ahead to ways of helping these devastated communities recover and, in the long term, be better protected against the effects of future disasters,” explains Federation President Juan Manuel Suárez del Toro. “It will also be a unique opportunity to highlight the immediate and essential response of Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers and staff to help survivors in the first crucial days following the disaster, and in the ongoing relief operation, despite the fact that many had lost family members, friends, colleagues and livelihoods.” Mobilizing at least 22,000 volunteers and nearly 300 international staff, from donor nations as well as from affected countries, more than 40 Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are bringing vital assistance (including food, clean water, medical care, shelter, household and hygiene articles as well as psychological counselling) to some 700,000 people in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Somalia, the Maldives and other affected countries. Participants will discuss how to best coordinate and support relief assistance in the affected countries until the end of 2005 as well as implement recovery programmes which will extend to 2010 and beyond. Disaster preparedness programmes, implemented by the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in the affected countries, will be an important part of the Federation’s plan of action in the region. “Not only is it essential that the communities who have suffered most recover, economically and psychologically, but we must also do our utmost to reduce the impact of future catastrophes on vulnerable people, in a region which is particularly prone to disasters such as cyclones and flooding,” underlines Federation Secretary General Markku Niskala. “The generosity of donors gives us the possibility of putting in place sustainable disaster preparedness and other long-term programmes, which are usually difficult to finance. It is a unique chance to prove to the international community that investing in risk reduction is worthwhile, not only because it saves lives and livelihoods, but also because it costs far less than emergency international response.” For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact: Siân Bowen, Head of Media Service Tel. + 41 79 217 33 88 John Sparrow, Regional Information Delegate Tel. + 86 13 50 12 05 972 +852 9863 5557 / 5558 / 5560 Media Service duty phone Tel. + 41 79 416 3881 The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 181 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. © International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies |
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