Peru:
With more than 625,000 people affected by flooding in Peru, the Peruvian Red Cross, along with other national societies, and support from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), continue to respond. Volunteers, National Intervention teams and staff are on the ground for assessments and emergency response. With more than more than 60 deaths and more than 72,000 homes destroyed, priority needs such as shelter, water and sanitation, livelihood and food security support, and emergency healthcare are currently being addressed. Volunteers are also providing first aid, pre-hospital assistance, and helping people connect with their families. The Canadian Red Cross is monitoring the situation closely and is ready to provide assistance as needed.
Syria:
Last week, two humanitarian relief aid convoys reached Madaya and Zabadani in Rural Damascus and Foaa and Kafriya in Rural Idleb. The aid, which contains food parcels, nutrients, and medical items, will support 60,000 people in those towns, which haven’t received aid in a while. This aid convoy, which took two days to reach the towns, was carried out in cooperation with UN Offices and the International Committee of the Red Cross, and was coordinated by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent. This month marks the sixth year of the Syria Crisis. The number of people in need has increased from 1 million in 2012 to 13.5 million today. Learn more about the crisis and journey taken by many Syrian refugees.
Africa:
Severe drought continues to threaten famine in countries across east and central Africa, which affects tens of millions of men, women and children. IFRC and member National Societies are increasing support to vulnerable communities throughout Africa. Local Red Cross staff and volunteers are in many of the most vulnerable and hardest-to-reach communities, responding to needs such as community-based health programs to prevent and treat malnutrition and infectious disease outbreaks. Without urgent action, thousands of children will die from starvation or disease every day in the famine-threatened countries. The Canadian Red Cross is accepting donations to support this response here.