IFRC

News stories from Asia and Pacific

21 May 2012

The extraordinary challenge of a school lunch in post-tsunami Fukushima

By Francis Markus in Japan Gazing across the sandy expanse of the playground, the buildings of the middle school have a forlorn look and give the impression of being completely deserted – until through the window of one faraway building, we catch sight of a few human figures moving about. “The students in there are just finishing their...
With the restrictions lifted in areas of Fukushima, some residents are returning home
16 May 2012

With the restrictions lifted in areas of Fukushima, some residents are returning home

By Francis Markus in Japan Authorities in Fukushima Prefecture have recently reclassified parts of the restricted zone around the nuclear plant to lift a ban on those...
Philippine Red Cross and young people partner in community preparedness
4 May 2012

Philippine Red Cross and young people partner in community preparedness

In an effort to raise environmental awareness among youth, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) developed the “Run, Plant and Care for the Mangroves and our Environment” ...
UN Secretary General meets with Red Cross to discuss humanitarian needs in South Asia
27 April 2012

UN Secretary General meets with Red Cross to discuss humanitarian needs in South Asia

26 April 2012 – New Delhi, India: As part of his three day official visit to India, UN Secretary General Mr Ban Ki-moon held a meeting with Mr Azmat Ulla, Head of the...
Effective public information is needed to prevent the spread of hand, foot and mouth disease
25 April 2012

Effective public information is needed to prevent the spread of hand, foot and mouth disease

As cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) continue to rise to record levels this year in Viet Nam, the Red Cross is gearing up for a widespread public ...
Psychosocial seeds bear fruit in Sichuan
24 April 2012

Psychosocial seeds bear fruit in Sichuan

Haohao’s grandfather used to fetch him from school every day – until he suddenly died of a heart attack. The loss left the once vivacious seven-year-old a changed person.
Indonesian Red Cross Society in action as earthquake causes panic in Aceh
11 April 2012

Indonesian Red Cross Society in action as earthquake causes panic in Aceh

A tsunami alert remains in place across the Indian Ocean after at least two strong earthquakes off the coast of Indonesia's Aceh province.
Empress Shoken Fund: Supporting Red Cross Red Crescent work for 100 years
11 April 2012

Empress Shoken Fund: Supporting Red Cross Red Crescent work for 100 years

2012 marks the 100th anniversary of the Empress Shoken Fund, which was created in 1912 by Her late Majesty the Empress of Japan to support Red Cross and Red Crescent...
Red Cross on alert as flood-ravaged Fiji braces for Cyclone Daphne
2 April 2012

Red Cross on alert as flood-ravaged Fiji braces for Cyclone Daphne

Torrential rain since 29 March have caused severe flooding for the second time this year in the western division of Fiji’s largest island of Viti Levu.
Vietnam Red Cross rallies to prevent spread of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
28 March 2012

Vietnam Red Cross rallies to prevent spread of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

In the wake of the ongoing Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) health crisis in Vietnam, the Red Cross has mobilized hundreds of volunteers to conduct a massive ...
Community health volunteers empower the young and old to help themselves
26 March 2012

Community health volunteers empower the young and old to help themselves

As they sit chatting on low wooden stools outside 55-year-old Cao Fengju’s village house, occasional ripples of laughter break out when a Red Cross volunteer jokes ...
Indian Red Cross volunteers bring the human touch to the fight against tuberculosis
23 March 2012

Indian Red Cross volunteers bring the human touch to the fight against tuberculosis

In India, tuberculosis is endemic. Almost two million people are infected with the disease, which is one fifth of the world total.
From toilet to table – sanitation solutions that help feed the rural poor
21 March 2012

From toilet to table – sanitation solutions that help feed the rural poor

Human waste, water scarcity and food production might not seem to be mutually compatible, yet, in southern China the Red Cross has been supporting a sanitation ...
Picking up the pieces three months after Tropical Storm Washi
20 March 2012

Picking up the pieces three months after Tropical Storm Washi

Three months after Tropical Storm Washi hit the northern coast of Mindanao island, the two hardest hit provinces of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan are slowly getting back ...
Putting women at the centre of community health programmes
15 March 2012

Putting women at the centre of community health programmes

Afghanistan is one of the world’s least developed countries. According to the World Health Organization, 70 per cent of the population ‘lives in extreme poverty and ...
Recover, rebuild, return. The challenge facing many communities one year on
12 March 2012

Recover, rebuild, return. The challenge facing many communities one year on

Rebuilding Japan’s devastated north-eastern coastline has presented urban planners, municipal authorities and local townsfolk with a range of dilemmas around which ...
The long road to recovery one year on from the earthquake and tsunami
8 March 2012

The long road to recovery one year on from the earthquake and tsunami

One year after Japan’s worst recorded natural disaster, the area hit by the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami is showing clear signs of recovery.
Japan anniversary – Diary 2 – Tsunami children cope with parents stress
5 March 2012

Japan anniversary – Diary 2 – Tsunami children cope with parents stress

The two 13-year-olds radiate a calm and healthy cheerfulness that’s reassuring in kids so young.
Japan anniversary – Diary 5 – Finding hope amid worry in Fukushima
5 March 2012

Japan anniversary – Diary 5 – Finding hope amid worry in Fukushima

Teru Yamada is in a cheerful mood when I visit her in her temporary house for the first time since last August. The 78-year-old grandmother has been keeping herself ...
Japan anniversary – Diary 4 – Assessing the uncertain future of a region blighted by a nuclear accident
5 March 2012

Japan anniversary – Diary 4 – Assessing the uncertain future of a region blighted by a nuclear accident

To our right we can see the snow capped peaks of the mountain they call Little Mount Fuji. It used to be one of the area’s tourist attractions.

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