In support of the Russian Red Cross (RRC) operation to help the victims of the tragic hostage-taking in a Beslan (North Ossetia) school last week, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has launched a preliminary appeal for nearly 865,000 Swiss francs (680,00 USD / 563,000 euro). These funds will be used to finance the costs of treatment for 2,000 people, over the next 12 months.
This long-term assistance aims to alleviate post traumatic stress through consultations and stays at rehabilitation centres, to allow hostages and their families to overcome the trauma and recover as reasonably as possible. The funds will also be used to cover physical rehabilitation for those injured in the violence. In parallel, and to ensure the implementation of this assistance, certain Russian Red Cross programmes will be strengthened, such as the visiting nurses, who provide professional home care.
The traumatic impact of this tragedy is enormous, both in Russia and abroad. According to official figures, the hostage-taking left 336 people dead and more than 400 injured - many of them children. Some 200 people are still unaccounted for. There are still children in hospital who are too young or too traumatized to identify themselves. In addition, many bodies lie in morgues, disfigured by the explosions that destroyed part of the school and unidentified.
The Russian Red Cross is asking for medical equipment (such as respirators and blood transfusion material) for hospitals in Beslan and Vladikavkaz, where people injured during the hostage-taking are still being treated. The RRC is also collecting toys, bed linen and clothes. On 3 September, the International Federation released 50,000 Swiss francs from its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund to help Russian Red Cross meet immediate costs.
There has been a widespread show of national solidarity from the Russian population. RRC volunteers have been on duty at the collection points as well as on the telephone hot-line round the clock. Other volunteers are helping RRC staff at the Moscow headquarters accept and package donations.
International mobilization has also been extraordinary, with many Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies around the world launching fund raising campaigns on behalf of the hostages and their families. "The response to the Red Cross appeal both in the country and internationally will help people to survive the tragedy," said Russian Red Cross President Tatyana Nikolaenko. "The international solidarity that is being shown once again emphasises the power of humanity," she added.
Russian Red Cross volunteers, doctors, psychologists and visiting nurses are in Beslan in hospitals and working with families. As the hostage-taking unfolded, the RRC immediately mobilized staff and volunteers to bring food and comfort to the families of the hostages, near the school. Together with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), they helped evacuate hostages when the shooting started.
International donations can be made at www.ifrc.org.