The International Services Monthly Activity Update provides a brief snapshot of significant international disaster events that the American Red Cross is currently responding to and monitoring. This update will also feature clips of stories, blog posts and photos published on redcross.org and affiliated sites about our ongoing international work. Information within this report is compiled from several sources including the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the U.S. Agency for International Development and involved Red Cross and Red Crescent national societies.
Dominican Republic – Floods
At the beginning of June 2023, the Dominican Republic experienced numerous incidents of urban and rural flooding, river overflowing, and landslides. The National Meteorological Office (ONAMET) attributed these events to the presence of a trough at various levels of the troposphere, along with the passage of a tropical wave over the Caribbean Sea. These weather phenomena led to increased humidity and instability, resulting in heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and strong wind gusts. The affected areas spanned several provinces, including Azua, Barahona, Bahoruco, Dajabón, Elías Piña, Espaillat, Independencia, La Vega, Pedernales, Santiago, and Santiago Rodríguez.
Map of areas most affected by floods in the Dominican Republic.
Source: IFRC
The impacts from the flooding have been widespread, including damage to more than 800 homes in the Valverde Province and nearly 200 homes in the municipality of Jimani. The flooding also caused the La Ciénega River to overflow, which triggered landslides in the surrounding areas. These landslides cut off communication and roads between several communities, as well as damage to 150 homes and collapse of the electricity system in San José de Ocóa.
In the province of Azua, especially in the municipality of Padre las Casas, reports show that the overflowing of rivers and ravines left approximately 20,000 people without water services. The lack of water services has led to an increase in diarrheic diseases and confirmed cases of cholera, according to a public health report from June 7.
Dominican Red Cross volunteers conduct initial damage and needs assessment following the floods.
Source: Dominican Red Cross
As part of the relief operation, the Dominican Red Cross aims to provide humanitarian assistance to families affected by the floods in the provinces of Azua, Bahoruco, Barahona, Dajabón, Elías Piña and Independencia. The efforts aim to assist more than 2,000 families with shelter; health services; water, sanitation, hygiene; livelihood and basic needs. The American Red Cross has provided a specialist to assist with the implementation of a cash assistance program.
Greece – Wildfires (Monitoring – Not Actively Responding)
Wildfires erupted in Greece on July 18, 2023. In a 24-hour period, more than 60 wildfires impacted parts of the country, with the most significant concerns in Rhodes, Corfu and Evia Islands. The largest wildfires burned across central Rhodes Island.
As of late July, approximately 19,000 people were evacuated across Kiotari, Gennadi, Pylon, Laerma, Lardos, Lindos, Kalathos, Malona, Asklepieion, Pefkos, Massari, and Haraki villages throughout the island. This represents the largest operation of evacuations for wildfires ever carried out in Greece.
The Hellenic Red Cross, in coordination with government authorities, is active across the country providing critical assistance at the front lines battling wildfires, as well as providing relief to first responders and affected communities as they face the wildfires and sweltering heat conditions. This assistance and relief includes care such as health and mental health services, health tips to cope with the heatwave and distribution of cold water to both community members and visitors across Greece.
Hellenic Red Cross responding to the wildfires that erupted in late July.
Source: Hellenic Red Cross Facebook
International assistance has not been requested. The American Red Cross is monitoring the situation as it develops in coordination with the global Red Cross and Red Crescent network.
Türkiye – Earthquake
In February 2023, two powerful earthquakes and multiple aftershocks rocked southern Türkiye, causing catastrophic damage and taking more than 50,000 lives. Countless others were injured, and millions of people were displaced from their homes across Türkiye and in neighboring areas of northern Syria.
Food distributions for people affected by the earthquake in Türkiye.
Source: IFRC
The Turkish Red Crescent (TRC) has led relief efforts in Türkiye and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent has led relief efforts in Syria. Both national societies have been supported by the global Red Cross and Red Crescent network.
Since the beginning of the response, thousands of Turkish Red Crescent volunteers and staff have helped people impacted across more than 50 provinces as teams support assessments, distribute food and other supplies, provide people with psychosocial support, collect blood donations, and plan for cash distributions. As of the beginning of June, the Turkish Red Crescent has provided over 416 million hot meals and distributed more than 10 million relief items. Turkish Red Crescent has also provided more than 115,000 households with cash assistance.
The needs have continued to evolve in the months following the earthquakes, and the Red Cross and Red Crescent support progressed appropriately. This included providing cash assistance and mental health services to earthquake survivors, helping to transition those impacted to their next phase in the recovery process.
Many individuals and families continue to live in the earthquake zone in Türkiye, seeking shelter in emergency centers and tented camps, and remain deeply traumatized from what they have seen and all that they have lost. To help them cope with the heartbreaking aftermath of these earthquakes, Red Crescent teams have made referrals to health care facilities, set up safe spaces for children to play and provided mental health and psychosocial support, including first responders and health workers.
“We have seen astounding resiliency in communities, but people still find themselves stuck in a very difficult situation,” said Ruben Cano, IFRC Head of Delegation in Türkiye. “Many people in Türkiye — particularly those who lost their homes and income — are still struggling with their day-to-day needs, including paying for food, rent and other necessities. A ‘normal’ life is still far from reach.”
Meanwhile in Syria, the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) has been active critical relief and assistance to people affected by the earthquake. Conditions have already been dire as 12 years of conflict and crisis have been compounded by this disaster. Thousands of SARC volunteers have provided more than 12.6 million humanitarian services to earthquake survivors.
The American Red Cross alongside the global Red Cross and Red Crescent network continue to support ongoing relief efforts of the Turkish Red Crescent and Syrian Arab Red Crescent.
Recent International Stories
ILCOR Welcomes International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies as Collaborating Member – August 7, 2023
The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitations (ILCOR) officially welcomed the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies as a collaborating member in June 2023 to help advance the mission of saving more lives globally.
Needs Still Dire in Türkiye and Syria Six Months After Earthquakes – August 4, 2023
Six months after the devastating earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, the events have significantly impacted the lives of millions. The American Red Cross has supported the response with financial assistance and staff deployment and will continue to work alongside the global Red Cross and Red Crescent network.
National Youth Council Member Cissy Wang Shares Her Experience at the Inter-American Conference in the Bahamas – July 26, 2023
Cissy Wang, National Youth Council Member, attended the XXII Red Cross Inter-American Conference June 5 – 8, 2023. The goal of the conference was to help strengthen the commitment of National Societies in the Americas to harness their auxiliary role and influence of humanitarian actions in disaster law.
To Learn More About Our Work at Home and Around the World:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
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