The Red Cross Round-up

The Round-up offers a weekly sample of what our sister Red Cross Societies are working on around the world.

As many of you may know, today marks a special day – World Humanitarian Day. As you read about the several Red Cross responses around the world, take a minute to honour aid workers and volunteers, who often put their life on hold or at risk, to help others in need, when help is needed most.

Myanmar: Although the flood waters are receding in many parts of the country, Yangon region, located in the Irrawaddy delta, is still badly affected. More heavy rainfall and high tides are predicted to cause further flooding in the coming weeks. Myanmar Red Cross Society volunteers, working alongside the fire department and the army, are using boats to evacuate entire villages as the flood waters rise. Since the floods began, around 500 Red Cross volunteers have helped with the evacuation of tens of thousands of people, moving them to safer areas. The volunteers are also supporting the government and local organisations to set up temporary camps where they distribute relief items including hygiene kits, food, tarpaulins and give first aid and psychosocial support to the displaced and injured.

Bangkok: On Monday, August 17, an explosive device went off in central Bangkok, Thailand. The incident resulted in a number of deaths and injuries. The Thai Red Cross Society immediately responded by providing support in hospitals accommodating those injured by the blast. A total of 27 people have been treated by the Red Cross so far, including three young girls. The Red Cross is monitoring the situation in collaboration with authorities. 

Kazakhstan: More than 200 volunteers from the Kazakh Red Crescent were deployed in response to recent floods in Almaty. Rising temperatures caused melting of the Kargalinka glacier, which sent a torrent of water, earth and debris into the city. The flood damaged bridges, brought down powerlines and trapped people in their homes. In all, over 1,000 people were forced to evacuate to safety. The Kazakh Red Crescent was the first to respond, with volunteers offering humanitarian assistance ranging from providing hot meals and first aid, to taking clean water on foot to communities cut off from main roads.