“My life will never be the same again.” Finding new purpose amid COVID-19
By Anette Selmer-Andresen, IFRC
Challenging situations can also mean a fresh start. For 28-year-old Genghis Khan from Kyrgyzstan the COVID-19 pandemic changed his whole life.
“The crisis forced me out of my comfort zone and gave me a chance to change. I am grateful for such an opportunity, because my life will never be the same,” says Genghis Khan, now an avid Red Crescent volunteer.
Living a Groundhog Day
“Before the pandemic, each day of my life was like the other. You could say that I lived a Groundhog Day for the last five years,” he explains.
Genghis was working as a banker, but was not happy with his life. “Many times, I promised myself that I would change my life. I thought that I would only work for another year, and then look for a new job. But time flew by and before I knew it, I had been a bank employee for five years.”
Discovering volunteering
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the government of Kyrgyzstan declared a state of emergency at the end of March. All office workers needed to work remotely and Genghis was isolated at home.
“Honestly, in the beginning I was lost,” he says. “What should I do with all this free time?”
One day, while browsing the internet, he came across an ad by the Red Crescent Society of Kyrgyzstan. They were looking for volunteers to help with COVID-19 preventive activities.
“I’d never done anything like that before and I didn't understand why volunteering was necessary.” Still, Genghis decided to give it a try.
As soon as he began volunteering, Genghis was impressed by the atmosphere of solidarity among the volunteers.
“It felt almost like we were a family. I was impressed by the courage of the volunteers. They gave their time and put their health in danger to help those in need.”
A life-changing experience
Volunteering for the Red Crescent has been an eye-opener for Genghis. He realized that there are vulnerable people in his community who need help.
“To be honest, being able to help old and lonely people or single mothers with many children, brought tears to my eyes,” he admits.
Through volunteering, Genghis has learned some important life lessons and feels that he has changed as a person.
“My life will not be the same again. Before I was in some way selfish and cared only about myself. Now everything is different, I realized how important it is to help others. I love this organization with all my heart.”
Response to COVID-19 in a country of continental dimensions
"During this period of fear and anguish around the world, when most of the population is at home, we choose to take care of others, out of love," said Joice Batista, a Brazilian Red Cross nurse who, together with more than 2,800 volunteers and technicians from this National Society, is fully dedicated to the noble work of saving lives in the time of COVID-19.
Brazil is one of the countries in the Americas most affected by the virus outbreak. This situation demands great efforts to support the national health system and the most vulnerable populations.
The Brazilian Red Cross, through its 21 branches, is providing assistance especially in the delivery of hygiene and sanitation kits, as well as psychosocial support. These actions have reached more than 133,000 people in the country, mainly in 11 states, including São Paulo, Ceará, Rio de Janeiro, Amazonas, and others strongly affected by the outbreak. The work has been carried out by visiting affected areas and assisting health personnel. Food and nutrition kits have been delivered to vulnerable people in 15 cities, and hygiene items have been donated to professionals in public clinics and hospitals.
"This is an important contribution. This is what we need, protection for health professionals so that we in turn can care for the sick population," said Maria Liduína Jales, a health worker at one of the hospitals to which the Red Cross has delivered materials.
The National Society has put a lot of effort into managing the distribution of these kinds of supplies. At the moment, hundreds of volunteers are helping with the production of an additional 35,000 hygiene kits that will be distributed in the next few days. In addition, the Red Cross is running four hospitals and two clinics in Brazil.
This work has required significant management, especially for resource mobilization.
"This is a country of continental dimensions, and as an auxiliary entity of the government we have moved with everything to be able to efficiently reach the populations in greater condition of vulnerability" said Julio Cals, President of the National Society.
"We have made alliances with several companies and organizations, and we have strengthened our communication with communities, volunteers and collaborators."
The COVID-19 Pandemic has generated high levels of stress and emotional impact on people. For this reason, the Brazilian Red Cross is undertaking important work in psychosocial support, especially in the states of Rio de Janeiro, Amazonas, Distrito Federal, Mato Grosso do Sul, Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul. Volunteers from the National Society make home visits to provide care in the localities, and a tele-assistance service has also been set up. In the same way, there is an important effort to protect the mental health of National Society volunteers. Emotional support spaces have been created for Red Cross staff, and the telecare service is also open.
The activation of the National Society, and the work being done on the ground, is made possible by the unconditional support of thousands of volunteers who have decided to give their best to help others. "I am grateful to do good for others and for the community," said Joice. "This work gives me a natural sense of personal satisfaction and gratification, even in fear”.
“30 Minutes with My Child”: An exceptional campaign in Bethlehem
Bethlehem - The Palestine Red Crescent Society's PRCS' campaign, “30 Minutes With My Child”, is still gaining momentum in the towns and villages of the Bethlehem Governate in Palestine since its launch at the onset of the COVID-19 crisis. The successful campaign has been achieved thanks to the helping hands of many of the PRCS 350, who enthusiastically engaged in delivering this initiative.
To learn more about the campaign’s creation, Ms. Judith al Sayej, PRCS’ Bethlehem branch Administrative Director, described the campaign saying that “at the beginning of COVID-19 outbreak, we decided to set up a psychological support team to help mothers, and subsequently their children, as part of the service provided by PRCS to local communities during these difficult times. We asked mothers to film their children as they carried out various activities, such as drawing, telling stories, and reciting poetry”. Judith explained how “the videos aimed to showcase the children’s creativity and allow them to express their feelings and emotions”.
Given the outstanding artistic skills displayed by the gifted children, who exhibited their talents in many videos, PRCS’ Bethlehem Branch decided to hold a contest and recognise the top 10 videos with an award. According to Judith al Sayej, the judges we select will be tasked with selecting the winning videos. The abilities of the boys and girls of Bethlehem in expressive art does not come as a surprise since the city boasts 10 museums and over 150 cultural centers and NGO’s.
“30 Minutes With My Child” owes a crucial part of its positive outcome to thePRCS volunteers. Salwa al Zeer, PRCS’ Bethlehem Branch Community Action Coordinator, shed some light on the instrumental role they played in the campaign. Our “volunteers have played a major role in the implementation of this campaign. The local communities’ response has also been high, and the campaign gained interest rapidly with people eager to display their children’s creativity. We were heartened by this response rate, which proves that we can do great things even in the most difficult of times”.
Speaking about this phenomenal campaign and as one of the volunteers, Ahmad Imteir, PRCS’ Bethlehem Branch’s Activities Officer, elaborated and added that “the current extraordinary context led us to focus on psychological support as part of our social mission”. He applauded the volunteers’ great job in the campaign and detailed the areas they participated in to keep the confined children on track. “They also assisted children in grade one through grade three with their schooling by resorting to distance learning solutions. This was done in a fun and accessible way, so children received gifts as an incentive to join this initiative”. He attributed the success of these activities to the imagination and originality of the children as well as the widespread participation among the local communities.
In its response to COVID-19, PRCS provided the following humanitarian services: Emergency medical Services, Health and Relief, and Psycho-Social Support (PSS). PRCS distributed food parcels to 12480 families in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (oPT), delivered medical services in primary health care centers to 1189 persons and activated 50 members of its PSS team to respond to people’s needs via phone sessions. The elderly and the patients who are dealing with chronic diseases have been visited at home by volunteers as well.
General Background:
PRCS was established in December 1968 as a national humanitarian organization to look after the health, welfare and well-being of the Palestinian people in West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt and Iraq. PRCS, as a full member of the International Movement of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, goes the extra mile to provide humanitarian, health, cultural and social services with its 4,200 employees and a network of 20,000 volunteers.
Dengue fever another blow for the Pacific Islands
As the Pacific Islands battle to keep Covid-19 out, and continues to reel from the aftermath of the Tropical Cyclone Harold, they are fighting another battle; Dengue Fever.
More than 4,000 cases of dengue fever have been reported in both Fiji and the Marshall Islands, but several more islands are at risk.
There are now 700 confirmed cases of dengue fever in areas of Fiji that were most affected by Tropical Cyclone Harold. The majority of new cases are children under the age of 18.
As of 12 May, the Marshall Islands has reported more than 3,388 cases of dengue-like illness, of which more than 1,576 have been laboratory confirmed.
Dr. Dewindra Widiamurti, Red Cross Pacific Health Manager, says: “In Fiji, the destruction by the cyclone resulted in water sources being contaminated, and increased challenges with wastewater removal. People who lost their homes are now living in evacuation centres, where social distancing is difficult, if not impossible, potentially making it easier for mosquitos to spread the virus.”
This situation is coupled with a shortage of safe water, which increases the health risks to displaced people, not only from dengue fever but also from other waterborne and mosquito-spread diseases. If COVID-19 entered these evacuation centres, it could also create an increased risk of spread, as lack of hygiene also facilitates the transmission of COVID-19.
Following the first confirmed COVID-19 case in Fiji, the Government responded immediately by isolating the person and carrying out thorough contact tracing, as well as tightening its national and international travel. Although Fiji has not reported a new COVID-19 case since 20 April 2020, the Government is advising the community to remain vigilant and international travel restriction continues. Tropical Cyclone Harold hit the country in early April, at the same time as the COVID-19 response was rolling out. The dengue outbreak has further complicated the health situation.
TheMarshall Islands dengue feveroutbreak began in July 2019 and is considered the worst outbreak in the country’s history.
Dr Widiamurti says: “We hope the outbreak is declining, as dengue fever is unpleasant and possibly life threatening. Two people have died of the fever since the outbreak started. We are concerned that COVID-19 might become a double burden to the affected communities. Hygiene advice, shared by the Red Cross volunteers is vital in the effort to prevent the spread of these diseases and limit mosquito breeding sites and the risk of being bitten.”
Since the outbreak was first reported, the Marshall Islands Red Cross Society has been actively visiting villages and communities to build awareness and promote measures to reduce the risk of mosquito bite.
The Fiji Red Cross have now also mobilised trained volunteers to conduct health education and hygiene promotion. They visit villages throughout the high-risk areas to build awareness and knowledge, simultaneously sharing COVID-19 hygiene precaution measures.
Since the outbreak was first reported, The Marshall Islands Red Cross has been actively visiting villages and communities to build awareness and promote measures to reduce the risk of mosquito bite.
The Fiji Red Cross have now also mobilized trained volunteers to conduct health education and hygiene promotion. They visit villages throughout the high-risk areas to build awareness and knowledge, simultaneously sharing COVID-19 hygiene precaution measures.
World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day 2020
Dear Red Cross and Red Crescent colleagues, dear friends,
On this World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, we are especially proud to recognize the work of our volunteers and staff who are on the frontline responding to the growing needs of communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. They sow kindness and solidarity around the globe and provide hope and dignity in the midst of despair. The incredible spirit of our volunteers all over the world during this crisis is not only a cause for admiration but also a source of inspiration for others to get involved too.
World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day is an opportunity to show our collective gratitude to our 13 million volunteers for their exemplary dedication to the humanitarian cause and our Fundamental Principles and also to thank them for their kindness, bravery and selflessness.
On 8 May this year, we find ourselves physically distant from one another, but we are closer than ever as we walk the path towards humanity. We are truly united in this crisis. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement has always been there, close to the people who need us most when times have been the toughest, when hope might seem so far out of reach.
During these challenging times, our National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies also demonstrate that we are united in our dedication to help people in distress. The original intent of Henry Davison, one of the founding fathers of our organization founded in the aftermath of 1918 flu pandemic is still our intent of today: ‘‘We get together for the purpose of finding a way of contributing to the world the benefit of our experience with the purpose of co-ordinating the efforts of all of the National Societies of the world in the interest of mankind.’’
This year, we are witnessing an unprecedented time, which is pushing all of us to adapt to new ways of volunteering and working together and with our communities. Although our proximity to vulnerable people and communities is being transformed, we continue to make a difference in people’s lives. And in these times of physical distancing, we have also learnt to comfort and show solidarity from afar, continuing to create social connections and develop a sense of belonging.
Our ability to respond to this crisis determines the consequences for vulnerable populations and for all of us globally. We need to address this global pandemic with the approach that “no one is safe until we are all safe”. As never before, the safety and well-being of everyone is critical for the safety and well-being of the entire world.
Today’s world is in a state of constant upheaval and permanent crisis, but whatever the problem – a natural hazard, the climate crisis, conflict or migration – Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers are visible ambassadors for peace and solidarity and active players in shaping the future of our communities and countries. In these trying times, their commitment and dedication, as first responders and local actors, to alleviating human suffering remains strong and powerful.
Today we celebrate our women and men, the young and old, every single person who continues to make the idea of the Red Cross and Red Crescent a reality each day. We celebrate our efforts to reach the most vulnerable and ensure that no one is left behind. We celebrate the support of our families for our dedication to humanity. And we celebrate our Red Cross and Red Crescent Family. We can truly say we are needed now more than ever. To quote our founder Henry Dunant: “Everyone can, in one way or another, each in their sphere and according to their strength, contribute to some extent to this good work.”
We thank you all and clap in solidarity with you.Happy Red Cross and Red Crescent Day!
We would ask all Red Cross and Red Crescent Presidents and Secretaries General to kindly pass our message on to the staff and volunteers of their National Societies.
Sincerely yours,
Jagan Chapagain Francesco Rocca
Secretary General President
Top sportswoman gives back to community through Red Cross
By Sladjana Dimic, Red Cross of Serbia
Zorana Arunovic is the best female sports shooter in Serbia. She has won gold medals in air pistol shooting in both World and European Championships, as well as represented her country in the Olympic Games.
Now Zorana, 34, is supporting her country as it battles COVID-19, just as she was once helped herself when she came as a refugee from Croatia to Serbia in the 1990s. “Both friends and strangers helped us then. Now it is my turn,” she says.
Zorana volunteers at the information centre set up by the Serbian Red Cross to support people who are staying at home. She spends her days responding to people’s calls and giving anyone who needs to talk a listening ear, information, encouragement and consolation. Zorana is happy to share her optimism with the diverse group of people calling the centre. There was even a call from a young man, who just wanted to speak with the famous athlete.
“My first visit to the Red Cross was a long time ago,” she remembers. “But I am regularly there for the blood drives. I started doing this because I was afraid of needles. In this way I managed to overcome my fear. I know how important blood is and the knowledge that I am helping someone has freed me of this fear.”
As all her competitions and trainings have been cancelled, Zorana continues to keep fit at home and encourages others to do so too. “Staying at home is equally as important as staying in shape. This is a fight on two fronts, with the unknown and with ourselves, to endure the isolation.”
PRCS volunteer: "Commitment, understanding and awareness are needed to defeat COVID-19"
Photos and words by Palestine Red Crescent Society
Salma Mahmoud Al Barqawi (50) has been volunteering with PRCS in Anabta for the past 17 years, and this fills her with pride. The years she has spent volunteering have shaped her personality, made her an active member of society and increased her awareness and commitment to her town, friends and family.
Salma first heard about the new coronavirus on local radio, and then attended an awareness-raising workshop held by PRCS on COVID—19 in Anabta.
“After the workshop, I communicated the basic health messages conveyed to us to other community members to help them protect themselves and prevent the spread of the virus. I did this in a simple and reassuring manner without stoking fear or panic in the community”, she says.
Speaking about her personal experience with the new Coronavirus, Salma explains that her husband works inside Israel. He had spent an entire month away from home, but with the rapid spread of the virus and the many calls for workers to return to their villages, he decided to come home along with eight other workers from the town.
When they reached the nearest checkpoint to Anabta, Salma called PRCS and asked for the phone number of the Preventive Medicine Unit, which she then immediately contacted.
”My husband and his colleagues then reported to the COVID—19 testing center. None of them tested positive, but they all self-quarantined for 14 days. When this happened, I realized the importance of the health messages and preventive measures I learned through the PRCS workshop”, she says.
Salma also called the wives of her husband’s colleagues and explained to them that no one should hug, kiss or touch their husbands and that they needed to be isolated.
“We all agreed to keep in touch and to contact PRCS should we have questions.”
In Salma Mahmoud Al Barqawi’s house, her husband had to use a separate bedroom and bathroom. Salma washed all his clothes separately and served him his meals in disposable plates.
”None of us came within 2 meters from him. I also called PRCS and they sent volunteers to disinfect my house. It was very difficult for my husband to stay away from his grandchildren whom he missed a lot. But he knew that he had to protect them by respecting social distancing measures”, she explains.
Salma believes that defeating COVID—19 requires a strong will, commitment, understanding and awareness.
“Above all, do not panic and keep a cool head because panicking will overwhelm you and prevent you from working effectively to prevent the spread of the virus.My final advice to everyone: stay at home – for your sake but also for the sake of your loved ones and your homeland”, Salma concludes.
COVID-19: Young people have the power to bring light to the world
While communities and countries across the globe work to limit the impact of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, the world’s Big 6 Youth Organisations have joined forces to remind young people that “heroes are born from terms of adversity”.
The Big 6 - the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the World Alliance of Young Men’s Christian Associations (YMCA), World Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), World Organization of the Scout Movement, World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, and The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation – have also suggested six ways in which young people can build their own leadership skills and boost their resilience while also lifting community spirits and providing vital volunteer services.
In a statement released today, the Big 6 said: “As young leaders of the world, you have - and will continue to have - a valuable role in the global response to and recovery from the COVID19 pandemic. It is you volunteering, you lifting the spirits of communities and you lighting the world with your action.
“We recognize that during these challenging times, both as individuals and as communities, we need to take a moment to remind ourselves that it is OK not to be OK. This is a time to care for each other, but importantly to look after ourselves: our own health and our own wellbeing. This period will pass and we will come away from it stronger, a generation of responsible and resilient citizens.”
IFRC has suggested a ready-to-use Wellbeing Kit for youth from the China Red Cross, Hong Kong Red Cross Branch with activities for children and adolescents to be carried out alone or accompanied by an adult, focusing on mental health.
For more information and links to the Big 6’s free activities and advice, please click here.
Every day is heartbreaking. Too many still aren't taking COVID-19 seriously
Intensive care beds full of people. Ofevery age. Women and men dying alone, unable to say goodbye to their loved ones. Funerals with no mourners. A line of military trucks transporting bodies away from the city because there is no more space to bury them in town.
These heartbreaking images are now part of daily life in Italy.
A few weeks ago, these scenes — the result of the global COVID-19 pandemic — would have seemed unthinkablehere in Italy.
As a Red Cross and Red Crescent worker, I try to be optimistic, but it is hard to keep a hopeful outlook when I see communities around the world not taking this virus seriously.
In Italy, as in many countries, I still notice individuals who don’t understand the importance of following simple rules on physical distancing. I witness bogus or racist rumors about the virus on social media. I hear people saying that “this is only a flu” or “will only affect the elderly” — as if the latter would be acceptable.
Each of these deeds affects how far this virus will spread.
Local volunteers, local communities, families, groups of friends and individuals have a great responsibility to stop COVID-19: And this is the moment. Take it from me. Take it from my country.
Practice physical distancing, be kind, check on your neighbors, run essential errands for older adults and people with compromised immune systems. Stay at home as much as possible, buy only what you need, cancel your partyand yes —wash your hands.
Whether or not you have symptoms, your actions are critical to “flattening the curve” and keeping your neighbors alive. Recognize that people over 65 are not the only ones contracting the virus. And do your part by staying healthy so that hospitals, doctorsand nurses can continue to do their lifesaving jobs as time and resources dwindle.
Step up by donating blood. Like leaving your home occasionally for medical care and groceries, going to a blood drive is an essential act.
A blood shortage could be fatal for patients who need surgery, victims of car accidents and other emergencies, or patients suffering from cancer. One of the most important things you can do to ensure we don’t have another health care crisis on top of the coronavirus is to give blood — not just now but throughout this pandemic.
Physical distancing combined with social solidarity is crucial to stopping this disease.
In northern Italy, the most affected area of our country, hospitals are full of people who need medical treatment.
How would you feel if doctors in your country had tochoose between intubating a younger person with children or an older adult with high blood pressure, because they don't have enough beds for everyone? This could happen soon in Italy — a country with a robust health care system — if the epidemic curve doesn’t flatten.
One day when this is over, we will spend time together and start hugging again. But right now there is no time to waste. Here in Italy we are suffering, and we know that COVID-19 is a more devastating disease than any we’ve seen in recent history.
Do your part to protect vulnerable people— those who have underlying health conditions, poor immune systems and those who are in an at-risk age category.
Do it for yourself. Do it for the others.Do it now.
Francesco Rocca is thepresident of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and president of the Italian Red Cross.
View the article on USA today
“My children can finally sleep in a warm place”
Photo by Palestine Red Crescent Society
Words by Ra’ed Al Nims, Palestine Red Crescent Society
"We are drowning… Help us!"
Palestine Red Crescent Society's Operations Room in Gaza received this distressing call during heavy rains, strong wind and cold weather in late January 2020. A team from the Red Crescent’s Disaster Management Unit (DMU) was immediately sent to the scene. What they found was an old, broken-down house with a roof that had started to cave in, causing mud, water and stones to fall into the rooms.
"We were totally shocked by what we saw. Four brothers with their wives, children and their parents, 24 people in total, lived in this place that looked like it was slowly falling apart. Rain was falling down in torrents, and the children were terrified and crying", says Saleem Abou Ras, 26, a member of the DMU team.
The team carried out a rapid assessment of the family’s needs and handed them tarpaulin sheets, cleaning tools, mattresses and blankets.
"I live with my wife and five children in one room in this tiny house. Heavy rain made the roof of our room collapse and water, mud and stones fell on us while we were sleeping. My children were terrified. I did not know what to do. With the support from the Palestine Red Crescent, we managed to get through that horrible night", says Maher Al Kishawi, 38, one of the four brothers.
"Our family is very big and we have no source of income. Without the help from the Red Crescent, our lives would have certainly been in danger", his wife, Suad Al Kishawi, 35, added.
After that night, Red Crescent team visited the family again and provided them with additional relief items.
"We are safe, at least for the time being. Most importantly, my children can now sleep in a warm room", Suad Al Kishawi says.
The Red Crescent teams have distributed tarpaulin sheets, blankets, mattresses, heaters, hygiene kits and other relief items to around 450 families affected by cold weather in the West Bank and Gaza. Palestine Red Crescent Society continues to monitor the situation and to support people affected.
Only half of refugees and migrants from Venezuela feel informed, survey finds
A regional survey on the information and communication needs of refugees and migrants from Venezuela found that half of them feel that they don’t have enough information on their rights and where to obtain assistance. The study was carried out by over 30 organizations across Latin America and the Caribbean, under the framework of the Regional Inter-Agency Coordination Platform for Refugees and Migrants from Venezuela (R4V).
Countries in Latin America and the Caribbean host an estimated 3.9 million refugees and migrants from Venezuela. With rising numbers, increasing needs and limited resources, humanitarian organizations have come together to understand the needs and at the same time support adaptation processes that put people at the center of the response.
The assessment aims to understand what the communication preferences and habits of people on the move are, identify the best way to reach those in need, and inform them about their rights and assistance available to them.
According to the exercise, the main communication channels and sources of information for refugees and migrants from Venezuela are WhatsApp and Facebook. In addition, face-to-face communication with family, friends and humanitarian actors are among the most trusted sources of information, especially for those in transit.
“There is a lot of information on social media but it is incorrect or inaccurate. We would like to receive information through social networks but from trusted sources; true and accurate information.” Main survey, Venezuelan woman in Peru.
While some 70 percent of interviewees said they have access to information and to a mobile phone, a considerable number - 30 percent - do not have access to a mobile phone to communicate with friends and family or to look for information, with differences across the countries and depending on whether they are in transit or in-destination.
Implementing strong and inclusive communication mechanisms, including the establishment of feedback and accountability systems shape the way timely and potentially life-saving information is shared through communication channels of choice which help people make decisions at any stage of their journey. Trust, availability and inclusivity are all criteria that must be considered when formulating the correct approach to establishing such communications.
Increased community engagement and participation of refugees, migrants and host communities throughout all the interventions that affect their lives is needed to ensure assistance responds to actual needs and priorities.
The exercise was jointly led by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and IFRC, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, as part of the Communicating with Communities/Communication for Development Working Group of the Regional Inter-Agency Coordination Platform (R4V), co-lead by UNICEF, in coordination with regional and national inter-agency structures.
The report is available here (link)
For more information on this topic, please contact:
Diana Medina, IFRC, [email protected], +507 6780 5395
Olga Sarrado, ACNUR, [email protected], +507 6640 0185
"Finally I can see some light"
A decade ago it seemed like a dream could come true for Nafe Ahmad Khalifah from Syria. For two years he had worked long days making pastry in Thailand, hoping to one day have his own little bakery and house. In 2009, he finally returned home with enough savings to start building.
“I came back to Syria with a small amount of money and a big dream to live there with my family for the rest of my days. I never thought I would have to leave again”, Nafe Ahmad Khalifah says.
As Mr. Khalifah started to build his house and his business, the Syria crisis began. At first, he was not worried, just thought that it will be over in a few days. As those days turned into weeks and into months and finally into years, and there was no end at sight, fear took over him and his family.
“One night, my firstborn daughter got so scared by the sounds of shooting nearby that all night she held onto me very tightly, refusing to let go. I still remember how desperate I felt when I realized that we have to leave.”
The beginning of the year 2013 was very dark for the family: their house was destroyed in the conflict. The family fled to Jordan, where they were first taken to Zaatari refugee camp. It’s still difficult for Nafe Ahmad Khalifah to even talk about this time.
“I was not even really living, just trying to survive and keep my family alive. This was the darkest period of my life.”
After a few months the family was able to leave the camp and to live with some other Syrians in Amman. However, the conditions remained difficult.
“We lived in very crowded places without privacy, our own space or windows, without enough warmth or light. We had small kids. I had no job and could not provide for my family. We only got by because of support from organisations, friends and relatives”, Mr. Khalifah explains.
Formerly a baker by profession, Mr. Khalifah was hoping to find work in Jordan.
“Preferably to have something to do with my hands, but I would have taken any job to support my family and make a living.”
He had been cutting his friends’ hair to pass time, and got interested in becoming a barber, but all the courses were too expensive for him. Then one day he found an ad in Facebook about a free barbering course through the Jordan Red Crescent, supported by the IFRC and funded by the European Union Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian Crisis, also known as the EU MADAD fund.
Now Nafe Ahmad Khalifah is a proud graduate of that barbering course, and much more hopeful for the future than before.
“Not only was this course like wonderful gift, and I hope that eventually I can make my living out of barbering, but I’m also very grateful for all the support I got from the Jordanian Red Crescent. They were the first ones in years that really listened to me, that made me feel like I exist again – that I am human”, Mr. Khalifah says.
Together with his four children and his wife, Mr. Khalifah has quite recently moved to a small storage room inside of a parking hall in a residential building in Amman. As long as he cleans the garage and washes the cars of the residents, they are allowed to stay.
“It’s not ideal, because I need to find time to also start practicing my barber skills and look for a job in a salon. But at least now my family has a roof over their heads, we have this tiny space for ourselves, and there is a window from which we see the sun. Finally, after many years of darkness, I’m hopeful and I can see some light."
Photo and words by Mirva Helenius / IFRC
Lebanon Protests: Red Cross volunteers continue supporting people in need
Since the nationwide mass protests started in Lebanon, the Lebanese Red Cross teams have been on the ground providing life-saving support to people affected. To date, more than 12,965 people have been assisted. To help the Red Cross to cope with the needs, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has released over 380,000 Swiss francs from its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund.
The Red Cross has a country-wide network of around 12,000 volunteers, and a thousand of them have been mobilized daily all over Lebanon. The Red Cross teams have treated hundreds of people on the site of the protests, while more critical cases have been transported to hospitals.
Due to the unrest and road blockages, civilian cars have not been able to reach hospitals in many places. With 165 of its ambulances and other vehicles mobilized, the Red Cross has also provided medical transportation to hospitals to dialysis and cancer patients as well as others in need of urgent treatment.
“Since day one of the protests, we have been responding to around 3500 emergencies all over the country in addition to our regular, ongoing services. So far, we have supported around 8000 people affected by the situation. Our volunteers are well known and respected because of their neutrality, impartiality and commitment to serve humanity. We will remain on high alert and continue to support people in need”, says Georges Kettaneh, Lebanese Red Cross Secretary General.
The Lebanese Red Cross Blood Transfusion Centres have also scaled up their services. Over one thousand blood units have been provided and distributed to hospitals all over the country.
British Red Cross encourages language learning with refugee teachers
By Mark Richard South, IFRC
Getting people talking, that’s the aim of a new partnership which has seen the British Red Cross team-up with a refugee-led language learning start-up. As part of the AVAIL project, the British Red Cross is working together with Chatterboxto connect language learners with teachers coming from refugee backgrounds.
Through the Chatterbox platform, language learners can pick from more than ten languages – including Arabic, Persian, French, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese - to learn and practice online with trained native speakers.
“Too often the skills of people who are refugees go unrecognised and unused when they arrive in a safe country,” explained Fiona Harvey from the British Red Cross. “Working with Chatterbox we are recognising people’s skills, helping show that the talents refugees arrive with are an opportunity we can all benefit from, and also strengthening connections between refugees and people in their new communities.”
As well as tapping into existing skills and providing a flexible option for employment – often a challenge for refugees arriving in the UK – Chatterbox also provides an opportunity for refugees and language learners to interact and know more about each other, and each other’s cultures, in a natural environment.
The project is also helping key workers – such as police officers and health workers - to learn languages commonly spoken by refugees.
Supporting the development of these language skills not only benefits the learners in their day jobs, but also makes services more accessible to refugees more widely, and enhances the value of refugee languages in the workplace - further contributing to overall integration and understanding.
“Getting people communicating, understanding and empathising with each other is a key part of integration,” added Harvey. “Whether it’s online or in person, simply chatting together really can make a world of difference.”
Irish and Latvian Red Cross “buddies” are supporting the integration of refugees
By Mark Richard South, IFRC
With the aim of promoting mutual understanding, social inclusion, and ultimately successful integration, the two Red Cross Societies are working through the AVAIL project to match up new arrivals with local “buddies”.
“In the wake of the refugee crisis there was a spontaneous upsurge of public support towards refugees in Ireland,” said Susanna Cunningham, manager of the AVAIL project with the Irish Red Cross.
“Buddying is a great way to harness that goodwill and help local communities get to know and welcome refugees and asylum seekers better as individuals.”
The buddies are volunteers drawn from the local community able to provide practical and emotional support, as well as opening doors to local networks, to help people ease their way into the new culture, society and community
Matching partners based on location, gender, age and shared interests, ensures refugees and asylum seekers and their buddies have common ground from which to build, and means people have at least one person they know as they settle into their new community.
“In Latvia, there are not really established communities of refugees or asylum seekers, so buddies play a really important role helping people to settle,” said Agnese Trofimova, AVAIL manager for the Latvian Red Cross.
“The culture, society, and language here are so different from what people might be used to, buddies are a vital link to the new communities people find themselves in.”
As well as being hugely useful in helping with basic practical issues and local knowledge – things like how to open a bank account, where to access adult education, what are the best local transport routes – buddies also provide an opportunity for people to practice their language skills, as well as offering friendship.
By spending time with buddies, refugees and asylum seekers themselves get to understand more about local culture and society, but also give buddies and the local community a chance to gain a greater understanding of refugees and asylum seekers as people: the cultures they have come from, the journeys they have made, the challenges they have overcome, and how they can contribute to the community and wider society in their new country.