The Round-up offers a weekly sample of what our sister Red Cross Societies are working on around the world.
KENYA: The Kenya Red Cross Society was among the first to respond after an attack by an armed group at the Westgate Shopping Mall in Nairobi on September 21. Within the first hour, the National Society had sent 12 Advanced Life Support ambulances to the scene, which were supported by a team of paramedics from the Emergency Medical Services and a fleet of service vehicles. As the situation continues to unfold, the Society is providing vital services to those affected by the crisis, including family reunification, psychosocial support and blood donation drives.
PAKISTAN: On September 24, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Balochistan, Pakistan killing more than 200 people and injuring almost 400. The Pakistan Red Crescent responded immediately by mobilizing disaster response trained members to the affected area. A Rapid Assessment Team is on the ground conducting assessments and the IFRC continues to monitor should a response be required.
NEPAL: From September 18-21, the ICRC and Dhulikhel Hospital of Kathmandu University held an emergency-room trauma course. More than 20 doctors attended the course, which aimed to enhance and complement the skills of doctors in managing emergency trauma cases. The ICRC has already organized seven courses of this kind in Nepal. Over 140 doctors and specialists from 60 hospitals have completed the course successfully. The ICRC plans to hold two more such courses in 2013 with the aim of reaching 60 doctors working in government hospitals from all regions of the country.
GLOSSARY:
IFRC = International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies