American Red Cross Disaster Newsroom

Disaster Update

The American Red Cross is completing its contributions to the Horn of Africa drought with an additional amount of $736,000 to support programs and recovery efforts in Kenya and Ethiopia. This slow onset disaster began in 2009 and has affected more than 13 million people in five countries.

This brings the total contributions made possible by the generosity of the American people to over $4 million, which have supported relief efforts through out the region. This last allocation of funds will support the Ethiopian Red Cross and the Kenya Red Cross with their drought relief operations and will also provide funding to the Ethiopian Red Cross for disaster risk reduction projects to help mitigate the impact of future disasters.

Though rains have increased across east Africa, a strong spring rainy season is crucial for a more sustained improvement in pasture, crop and livestock conditions.

Disaster Update

Hydro-meteorological disturbances and the La Niña weather pattern have worsened Peru’s annual rainy season, causing major flooding across the country affecting an estimated 650,000 people. In addition to the large number of homes and business affected, roads have also been badly damaged making the distribution of relief supplies very challenging.

On March 29th three-quarters of Peru’s departments (states) declared a state of emergency. The Peruvian Red Cross plans to help 4,000 people in the most affected department, Loreto, with locally purchased relief items, access to safe water, disease prevention efforts, and activities to improve conditions in evacuation centers.

The American Red Cross has committed $100,000 to the Peruvian Red Cross response efforts for relief supplies and technical support. The American Red Cross continues to monitor the situation and stands ready to provide additional assistance as needed.

Disaster Update

March 9, 2012

The American Red Cross has contributed an additional $100,000 to efforts in Syria, bringing the total committed funds since October 2011 to $235,000.

A year after violence began between the Syrian government and protestors demanding political reform, the humanitarian situation in Syria has worsened. Thousands of people are trapped in their homes, are caught in open conflict or are fleeing to escape the fighting. Food and water supplies are running low in some areas and medical needs are urgent. The UN reports that more than 9,000 people have been killed during the conflict, including more than 600 children. The UN and other organizations have called for immediate humanitarian action.

The Syrian Arab Red Crescent has been assisting those in need since the violence began. In many parts of the country, it is the only humanitarian organization on the ground. It has helped more than 200,000 people with much needed medical care, ambulance services, food and relief supplies. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), working closely in partnership with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, has been delivering essential first aid, medical supplies and other emergency response equipment to affected areas, hospitals and other healthcare facilities. In addition, ICRC and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent have mobilized volunteers and staff in the cities of Homs and Al Zabadani to provide medical and humanitarian assistance for people in need, despite difficult and dangerous conditions.

The American Red Cross is supporting the humanitarian efforts of the Red Cross and Red Crescent network’s response to the crisis in Syria and has provided financial assistance through the International Federation to the Syrian Arab Red Cross. The American Red Cross continues to monitor the situation and the efforts of the International Federation, ICRC and Syrian Arab Red Crescent and stands ready to provide additional assistance as needed.
For more information on the situation in Syria, visit www.icrc.org.

Disaster Alert

Paraguay — One of the most important agricultural regions is suffering from serious drought due to irregular rain patterns from La Niña weather cycles.

The government declared a food security emergency in January, when agricultural production was predicted to drop 30 to 50 percent across the region. Low river water levels are limiting food and commercial shipping.

The American Red Cross is committed to assisting the Paraguayan Red Cross in its response to more than 263,000 families who are in need of immediate food and safe water relief.

Disaster Alert

Situation Overview

Due to conflict between government and opposition forces, the humanitarian situation in Syria has worsened, especially in the cities of Homs and Al Zabadani. Food and water supplies are running low and thousands of people are trapped in their homes or are fleeing to escape the fighting.

The Syrian Arab Red Crescent has been assisting those in need since the violence began 10 months ago. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has recently called for a daily two-hour cease-fire so that the Red Crescent can deliver emergency aid to the wounded and sick.

The secretary general of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent was killed January 25 while traveling in a vehicle clearly marked with the Red Crescent emblem. Members of the Global Red Cross and Red Crescent network have called for those involved in the violence to respect the mission of the Red Crescent, which is to assist those in need in a neutral and impartial manner.

American Red Cross Response

The American Red Cross is monitoring the situation and stands ready to provide assistance as needed. Previously, in October 2011, the American Red Cross committed $135,000 to support Red Cross and Red Crescent response activities in Syria due to unrest.

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Disaster Alert

Mexico – The country’s worst drought in more than 70 years is devastating water and food supplies throughout Mexico. Thousands of cattle have died and more than two million acres of crops have been destroyed, with northern states seeing record levels of drought.

The Mexican Red Cross has responded by providing food and relief supplies to vulnerable populations in high mountainous regions, including more than 10,000 native Tarahumara Indian families.

Donations mailed to local chapters may be designated to assist with drought relief efforts in Mexico until March 16, 2012. Visit the American Red Cross website to find the chapter nearest you.