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On
26 December, 2004, when the devastating tsunamis swept
across vast tracts of land in 12 countries around
the Bay of Bengal, they destroyed more than homes
and lives. Piped water supplies and thousands of wells,
so vital to people’s day to day existence, were
damaged so badly by salt water and debris that local
populations could not drink from them. Polluted water
supplies can spread potentially fatal water-borne
diseases, including malaria and diarrhoeal disease.
Photo: REUTERS/Beawiharta/Courtesy of www.alertnet.org
(p-ID0067)
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Red Cross Red Crescent
Water and Sanitation teams were deployed in the immediate
aftermath of the terrible tsunamis to secure water supplies
and assist with the massive task of disease prevention and
well rehabilitation. First, the polluted water is piped into
massive tanks and bladders, where it is treated and prepared
for human consumption and use in other elements of the relief
operation, including field hospitals. Often, this water will
be trucked in massive tankers from the water source, right
to the communities themselves.
Photo: International Federation (p12968)
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The
technology and expertise that are required to deploy
and operate water and sanitation teams to provide
relief in the aftermath of disasters is significant.
In many cases, affected populations are trained in
the operation of the water and sanitation equipment,
which remains in affected regions to provide long-term
assistance. This enables people in some of the world’s
most disaster-prone regions to respond more effectively
when disaster strikes.
Photo: International Federation (p-IDN0262)
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Safe water supplies and
proper sanitation saves lives and eases suffering. So far,
Red Cross Red Crescent water and sanitation teams have provided
millions of litres of clean, safe water for drinking and washing,
which has benefited hundreds of thousands of people.
Photo: Craig Wood/International Federation (p12541)
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| News |
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Video
resources |
 17/06/2008
- Indonesia
Red Cross Red Crescent establishes self-reliant communities
“It has been an interesting experience,” says Charles Aurouet, a construction delegate for the French Red Cross in Pidie district of the Indonesian Aceh province. “We have learned a lot during our work in Indonesia.” The Indonesian and French Red Cross societies are finishing the construction of over 300 house and the rahabilitation of a junior high school in Pidie. (...)
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Disaster management
