Published: 4 April 2005
The Italian Red Cross has mobilised hundreds of volunteers to offer round-the-clock first aid, comfort and other assistance to the tens of thousands of people paying homage to Pope John Paul II, who passed away on Saturday 2 April.
With the Italian authorities anticipating that as many as 2 million people could arrive in Rome for the Pontiff’s funeral, the Italian Red Cross has deployed 60 ambulances in the city centre, near the Vatican, established four emergency health care points, deployed 20 first aid teams on St Peter’s Square and on roads around the Holy See, as well as some 300 volunteers to offer logistical services.
“Our 24-hour service is essential given the influx of such a huge number of pilgrims. We are evaluating whether the volunteers we have already deployed need reinforcing to meet the medical needs of these people, many of whom will be accommodated in sports stadiums and other facilities in Rome,” says Italian Red Cross Extraordinary Commissioner, Maurizio Scelli.