 |
Search : | ||
|
|||
News
 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Asia
tsunamis: Red Cross Red Crescent to launch 50-million Swiss franc
appeal in largest emergency response in modern time 28 December 2004 The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies will launch an appeal of more than 50 million Swiss francs to support its largest emergency operation in decades. The funds will be used to help victims of the devastating tidal waves that hit south and east Asia on December 26, leaving at least an estimated 40,000 people dead, thousands injured, more than one million displaced, and millions affected. All these figures are likely to rise. “This is the largest catastrophe we have seen in decades. We haven’t even seen the tip of the iceberg yet,” says Federation secretary general Markku Niskala. “We face a huge challenge due to the vast area affected. The Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies of the region responded immediately with emergency assistance. We have sent in medical aid and international teams to support our national colleagues and we are bringing essential assistance to people who have lost everything, family members and friends, homes and belongings. The survivors are traumatized and we will also provide psychological support over the coming weeks and months.” Medical supplies and medicines for some 120,000 people have been sent to Sri Lanka, to provide basic medical care and treat possible cases of diarrhoeal disease. Flights carrying relief items (including tents, medicines, food) from Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies around the world have arrived in Sri Lanka and more flights are due today. A Federation field assessment and coordination team is on the ground in Sri Lanka, and eight emergency response units specialized in water and sanitation, health care, aid distribution, telecommunications and logistics are due to arrive today and tomorrow. Access to potable water is essential to avoid the propagation of waterborne disease, in particular malaria. With more than 12,500 people dead, 250,000 displaced and at least 200,000 homeless, Sri Lanka is the hardest-hit country of the region. More than 40,000 people are being temporarily housed in 66 Red Cross camps and shelters and 14,000 are staying with relatives and friends. In India, some 5,000 family kits have been distributed in the Chennai (Madras) region. These kits include blankets, cooking utensils, mosquito nets, clothes and other emergency items. Major casualties and emergency needs are expected from the Andaman and Nicobar islands. Five emergency response teams are being sent to Indonesia to assist with water and sanitation, logistics, basic health and telecommunications. We fear the death toll and the numbers of homeless and injured will significantly rise in Indonesia as information comes in from outlying regions. A field assessment and coordination team will leave for the Maldives today. The International Federation’s preliminary appeal for 7.5 million Swiss francs, launched on 26 December, was fully covered within 12 hours. For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact: Sian Bowen, Head of Media Tel: + 41 22 730 4296 / + 41 79 217 33 88 Marie-Françoise Borel, Press Officer Tel: + 41 22 730 43 46 / + 41 79 416 38 81 Eva M. Calvo, Press Officer Tel: + 41 22 730 43 57/ + 41 79 79 217 33 72 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 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
