 |
Search : | ||
|
|||
News
 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Haiti:
International Federation launches emergency appeal to help flood victims
5 December 2006 The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is launching an emergency appeal for 624.500 Swiss Francs (522,800 US$ / 392,600 €) to support the Haitian Red Cross Society in its response to the current flooding affecting Grande Anse and Nippes as well as in the Southern, Western and North-Western regions of the country. At least three people have lost their lives since the heavy rains started on November 22 and more than 18,700 people (3,740 families) have been affected. The funds will be used to assist around 17,500 persons (3,500 families) over the next four months, with relief items such as hygiene articles and kitchen utensils, blankets and mosquito nets. In addition, safe water will be supplied to two hospitals in Jérémie and Port de Paix (in the provinces of Grande Anse and Nord West) damaged by the floods. Some 4,000 persons will benefit from this assistance. The rains have caused severe destruction. Bridges have been washed away and roads have been cut off, leaving many communities isolated, and livestock and crops have been lost. Haitian Red Cross volunteers immediately went into action as soon as flooding was reported, providing first aid, transporting injured people to nearby hospitals, evacuating people to temporary shelters located in safer areas, and participating in needs and damage assessments. Other activities also include the distribution of relief items and the provision of safe water to the vulnerable population. The International Federation has allocated 80,000 Swiss francs (67 000 US$ / 50 300 €) from its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund to assist Haitian Red Cross in responding to the disaster. It is coordinating its efforts with all humanitarian actors working in Haiti. Due to its geographical position and geology, Haiti is under constant threat from a wide range of natural disasters - floods and hurricanes being the most frequent. Their effects, which are exacerbated by the degradation of the environment, can be deadly. In July and August, Tropical Storm Chris and Hurricane Ernesto both caused extensive flooding and 600 people received assistance from the Red Cross. For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact: Pierre Kremer, Acting head, Media Unit Tel: + 41 22 730 49 14 Media Service Duty Phone Tel: + 41 79 416 38 81 The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 185 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 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
