In
response to the hostilities in Lebanon, the Lebanese Red Cross
(LRC) has mobilized 2,400 emergency rescue and first aid volunteers,
as well as some 200 ambulances to evacuate and provide emergency
relief to people wounded or displaced by the bombings. It is
also transporting bodies to centres, for identification purposes.
LRC medical staff have treated hundreds of wounded over the
past four days.
In addition, the nine Lebanese Red Cross blood centres, open
24 hours a day, are supplying blood to hospitals. The LRC mobile
clinics, staffed by medics and nurses, are visiting centres
and schools where thousands of people are gathering for protection.
According to the Lebanese Red Cross, at least 700,000 people
have been displaced by the hostilities and the number is rising
every day.
Some 400 youth volunteers are also busy sorting humanitarian
assistance in LRC centres for distribution to the most vulnerable.
The Lebanese Red Cross first aid service is in dire need of
protective equipment for their volunteers, bullet proof helmets
and vests in particular. Body bags are also needed.
The distribution of emergency medical and other needs is being
coordinated by the International Committee of the Red Cross
(ICRC), which, under its mandate, has also issued several calls
to respect International Humanitarian Law. The ICRC is also
supporting fuel and repair costs for the
LRC ambulance fleet and has sent in a convoy carrying medicines,
food and hygiene articles. Lebanese hospitals are functioning
thanks to emergency stocks, but small dispensaries and clinics
in the south of the country are beginning to run out of medicines.
National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies around the world
are ready to send in assistance and funds, as required.
As national provider of ambulance and paramedical services,
the Lebanese Red Cross covers approximately 80% of all ambulance
missions in the country, through a network of 42 stations and
more than 2,200 volunteers.
In addition it has a network of 24 clinics, 24 dispensaries,
eight mobile clinics, nine blood banks and some 1,800 youth
volunteers.
For its part, the Magen David Adom in Israel (MDA) is on alert
in 10 of its 11 regions, including its reserve units. It has
treated some 150 injured people as well as 200 patients suffering
from acute stress, and evacuated bodies.
The MDA has moved half its blood service operations as well
as its regional dispatch centres into shelters. A nationwide
blood donation campaign is underway and hospitals and community
health care systems are also on high alert.
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Some
400 youth volunteers are also busy sorting humanitarian
assistance in LRC centres for distribution to the most
vulnerable. The Lebanese Red Cross first aid service is
in dire need of protective equipment for their volunteers,
bullet proof helmets and vests in particular. Body bags
are also needed. (p14282)
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In
response to the hostilities in Lebanon, the Lebanese Red
Cross (LRC) has mobilized 2,400 emergency rescue and first
aid volunteers, as well as some 200 ambulances to evacuate
and provide emergency relief to people wounded or displaced
by the bombings. (p14305)
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News
