Millions of people in countries across the globe are experiencing devastating disasters that have taken their homes, their livelihoods, and tragically for some, their loved ones. This International Services Activity Update provides a brief snapshot of significant international disasters that the American Red Cross is currently monitoring or responding to.
Measles is one of the most contagious and severe childhood diseases. Every day, it takes the lives of hundreds of children around the world. Even if a child survives, measles can cause permanent disabilities, such as blindness or brain damage. The risk is great in developing countries where there is a prevalence of malnourishment and limited access to health care.
Rubella is generally a mild disease but can have serious consequences for pregnant women and their children. If infected with rubella in the first trimester, women have a very high risk of giving birth to a child with Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS). CRS often results in multiple birth defects including heart problems, deafness and blindness.
The American Red Cross continues to support the effort to eliminate measles and rubella around the world. Since 2001, the American Red Cross and our partners in the Measles & Rubella Partnership have vaccinated children in places such as Kenya, Benin and Ethiopia to protect them from these deadly diseases. It costs about $2 to vaccinate a child against measles and rubella, making it one of the most cost-effective health interventions available.
In Nigeria, a two-phase catch-up campaign, intended to reach more than 100 million children and youth ranging in age from 9 months to 14 years, is taking place using the combined measles and rubella vaccine. The Nigerian government’s efforts to implement the catch-up campaign represent years of behind-the-scenes coordination between local governments, the Measles & Rubella Ppartnership and other stakeholders.
The American Red Cross, as part of the partnership, is specifically supporting the first phase of this vaccination campaign by working closely with the Nigerian Red Cross Society to mobilize volunteers. Alongside the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), more than 3,400 local volunteers will go house to house in communities, with the goal of reaching to reach more than 1.5 million households, to encourage confidence in vaccinations and to participate in the vaccination campaign. Additional plans are being developed to support similar activities in January.
Philippines – Earthquake
Four devastating earthquakes struck the Philippines in the past few weeks, the first off the coast of Cebu and three near Davao Oriental in the southern Philippines. Thousands of aftershocks have been reported after each event and continue to hinder recovery efforts.
More than 547,000 individuals were affected, and more than 26,000 people have been displaced. Nearly 36,000 houses are damaged along with schools, bridges and cultural sites.
The situation remains critical, with urgent needs for shelter, clean water, health services and psychosocial support. Many families are living in makeshift shelters or outdoors due to fear of aftershocks. Many hospitals are overwhelmed, water systems are disrupted, and livelihoods have been severely impacted.
Access to the most affected mountainous areas remains a significant challenge due to damaged roads, while ongoing aftershocks continue to pose a threat to safety and delay rescue and relief efforts. Critical infrastructure and lifelines are currently non-operational in some areas.
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) mobilized immediately, deploying volunteers and staff to provide life-saving assistance and conducted damage assessments across earthquake affected communities. Red Cross workers set up temporary tents and shelters for families, distributed essential household items, and are serving hot meals. Philippine Red Cross teams are also providing water, sanitation and hygiene services, including potable water distribution and hygiene kits. Their medical tents and ambulances are supporting the overwhelmed health facilities. PRC teams also are supporting people with health and mental health services through aid stations set up across the affected communities.
As relief efforts continue, the American Red Cross is coordinating closely with the IFRC and Philippine Red Cross to mobilize additional assistance including financial support to the operation.
Democratic Republic of Congo – Ebola Outbreak
An Ebola Virus Disease outbreak was declared last month in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the second largest country in Africa.
Ebola Virus Disease or EVD is a severe, often fatal illness in humans, transmitted to people from wild animals. EVD spreads in human populations through direct contact with blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected individuals, and through contaminated surfaces and materials. The average fatality rate is around 50%. The current fatality rate for the outbreak in the DRC is estimated at 61%.
The DRC Ministry of Public Health reports the outbreak in Kasai Province has so far amounted to 45 confirmed cases and 35 deaths, including the deaths of multiple health workers. There are also nearly 60 suspected cases across four districts, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has assessed the national risk of spread as ‘high’.
The country is also facing outbreaks of mpox, cholera and chronic vulnerabilities such as limited Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) and Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) in healthcare facilities. Meanwhile, the country is also grappling with a prolonged economic and political crisis.
The Democratic Republic of Congo Red Cross has mobilized more than 350 volunteers to support decontamination, house-to-house awareness, contact tracing and hygiene promotion. More than 25 handwashing stations have been created and benefitted more than 10,500 individuals. The Democratic Republic of Congo Red Cross is also providing psychosocial support and dignified burials for families who have lost loved ones.
The American Red Cross has provided technical support by deploying a disaster response specialist for information management to support the Democratic Republic of Congo Red Cross response to this outbreak.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
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