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Escaping the violence that broke out in South Sudan in December, more than 48,000 refugees have now fled to neighbouring Uganda seeking safety.

Overall, an estimated 700,000 people have been displaced internally in South Sudan, with another 145,000 having fled to neighbouring countries.

 

To mark International Women's Day, we share a story from Mali, where the Canadian Red Cross is working to improve women and children's health.

Over 274 Malian children under the age of five die every day, mainly from preventable causes. Since 2012, the Canadian and Malian Red Cross Societies have been working together to implement a maternal, newborn, and child health project to deliver Basic Healthcare in the Community.

More than three months after Typhoon Haiyan devastated the Philippines, the Canadian Red Cross has handed over the field hospital it deployed in November 2013 to the Philippine Red Cross. This will allow the Philippine Red Cross to provide basic health care to a community of 30,000 people in the event of a future emergency. 

Since protests began in November 2013, the Ukrainian Red Cross' emergency response teams have been providing first aid for those wounded on both sides. They assisted more than 660 people last week during the escalation of violence in Kiev. They are continuing to provide support to those who need it.

The humanitarian situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) has forced close to one million people from their homes. Despite the challenges, Red Cross volunteers in CAR are doing what they can to help. Meanwhile, the Cameroon Red Cross has been assisting refugees arriving in their country. The Canadian Red Cross and the International Red Cross Red Crescent movement have deployed delegates and resources to support the response.

It has been just over three months since Typhoon Haiyan ravaged the Philippines. Red Cross has been providing relief to communities in need of food, shelter, clean water and medical assistance. Several National Red Cross Societies including the Canadian Red Cross continue to provide assistance and raise funds to boost the Philippine Red Cross’ plan to support the long-term recovery of 100,000 families in the worst affected areas over the next two years.

In this video, the head of operations for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Africa, Eric Marclay, provides an update on how the Red Cross is responding to the emergency needs of families in South Sudan and explains how recovery will take time.

This past weekend, trucks from the Syrian Arab Red Crescent stocked with humanitarian aid entered the old city of Homs. While these trucks were clearly marked with the protective red crescent, shots were fired, targeting the aid workers. The team was able to exit Homs safely although one of the truck drivers was injured.