From around the world, people, governments and companies opened their hearts and their wallets to provide assistance to tsunami-affected populations. From children donating their weekly allowance to companies pledging millions, the response has been unprecedented.

Thus far, this generosity has allowed Red Cross Red Crescent to provide assistance to over 840,000 people. Red Cross has set up field hospitals and provided millions of litres of clean, safe drinking water. Sometimes though, it’s important to realise that even the smallest contribution can make a practical, tangible difference.

Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers and staff have distributed thousands and thousands of food, kitchen, hygiene and baby parcels to affected communities – a simple, relatively inexpensive and potentially lifesaving form of assistance. Naturally, these parcels will differ from country to country depending on the specific needs of the affected population.

Wherever possible, the International Federation will source materials on the ground in the affected countries themselves. This has a doubly positive affect. First, sourcing relief materials locally helps to begin the process of rebuilding economies damaged by natural disaster. Second, sourcing relief materials locally reduces transport costs, which makes relief funds go further.

Find out some typical examples of what makes up a Red Cross Red Crescent relief parcel…