In
the current crisis, linked to the situation in Lebanon, the
Syrian Arab Red Crescent Society (SARCS) was put on full alert
soon after hostilities began. It mobilized its staff and volunteers
across the country. Four operational centres have been set up
in cities near major border crossing points from Lebanon to
Syria (Damascus, Homs, Tartous as well as SARCS headquarters)
to receive people fleeing the fighting.
Some 100 volunteers are working around the clock, assisting
thousands of evacuees and providing water, food and first aid
services to those who need it. They are helping transport people
to temporary shelter locations, registering beneficiaries, and
providing logistical support to relief convoys moving towards
the border with Lebanon.
In Dabbusiyyeh border town, 70 kilometres from Homs a Red Crescent
ambulance is permanently stationed at the border. Latest reports
are that at least 150 refugees have been sheltered temporarily
in a school there, since it is closed for summer vacation.
More than 1,000 families have already been accommodated in schools,
dormitories and monasteries in Damascus. The SARCS and other
charities supplied beds, blankets and pillows. More than 8,000
hot meals are provided to refugees every day and more shelter
is being prepared to accommodate more people as hostilities
intensify.
For SARCS volunteers, preparations for the current crisis did
not begin at the same time as hostilities. In fact, they began
nearly five years ago when the Red Crescent initiated a series
of training workshops and camps on disaster preparedness and
management.
With assistance from the International Federation, the SARCS
began to train a large number of its staff and volunteers in
disaster management, created a national disaster intervention
team and conducted a vulnerability and capacity assessment.
Over those five years, the Red Crescent, was put to the test
several times. Its staff and volunteers were the first to respond
to the collapse of the Zaizon dam in 2003 and they were immediately
mobilized in Al-Kallaseh, when several buildings collapsed,
killing and injuring dozens of people.
The conflict in Iraq was another test, during which the SARCS
organized several major campaigns to support the Iraq Red Crescent
in its assistance programmes for the people of Iraq.
To assist evacuees from Lebanon, the Red Crescent has begun
a major donation campaign in Syria in cooperation with the private
sector, local non-governmental organizations and some radio
stations.
For example, Globalcom, Syriatel, and Areeba, the three major
mobile telecommunications companies, have dedicated hotlines
for the campaign.
The Syrian Arab Red Crescent Society is also coordinating international
assistance to Lebanon through Syria.
So far, large shipments of food items, kitchen utensils, tents
and medicines have been received from the Kuwaiti Red Crescent,
the United Arab Emirates Red Crescent, and the Hashemite Charity
of Jordan. The SARCS also donated 4 ambulances and 42 tonnes
of relief items to the Lebanese Red Cross.
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Some
100 volunteers are working around the clock, They are
helping transport people to temporary shelter locations,
registering beneficiaries, and providing logistical support
to relief convoys moving towards the border with Lebanon.
Here a team of volunteers regsitering some beneficiaries.
(p14306)
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More
than 1,000 families have already been accommodated in
schools, dormitories and monasteries in Damascus. The
SARCS and other charities supplied beds, blankets and
pillows. (p14307)
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Over
those five years, the Red Crescent, was put to the test
several times. Here, a Syrian Red Crescent volunteer helps
a victim of the collapse of the Zaizon dam in 2003, a
disaster which killed and injured dozens of people. (p14300)
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