INTERNATIONAL SERVICES ACTIVITY UPDATE
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.
In Bangladesh, more than 14.6 million people are living with the impacts of widespread flooding. The Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) has provided food, shelter, essential supplies, and healthcare through mobile medical teams, while also setting up emergency water and sanitation facilities. For long-term recovery, BDRCS is offering cash assistance, rebuilding homes, and supporting livelihoods through agricultural and economic aid. Public health efforts include mobile medical units, disease prevention campaigns and safe water installations. BDRCS also prioritized vulnerable groups by distributing dignity kits and incorporating protection, gender and inclusion principles into their programs.
The American Red Cross has contributed $300,000 to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) emergency appeal to assist BDRCS, and an additional $18,450 to BDRCS directly for the procurement and distribution of food packages across affected communities.
In Chad, weeks of torrential caused waves of floods in the country. The flooding, compounded by an influx of refugees, has strained resources and escalated into an unprecedented crisis.
The floods have affected nearly 2 million people and resulted in more than 570 fatalities. The impact also includes more than 1 million acres of crops destroyed, and more than 72,000 head of cattle washed away. Additionally, more than 217,000 homes were destroyed. Additional flooding is expected.
Both residents and refugees have experienced simultaneous loss of homes, property and sources of income. Chad now has the seventh highest number of refugees in the world, hosting 1.2 million refugees, according to UNHCR. The majority are women and children living in precarious conditions near borders with limited access to essential services.
The Red Cross of Chad (CRT) mobilized more than 2,600 volunteers to assist with first aid and emergency assistance in all 23 provinces. CRT also provided shelter support and humanitarian assessments.
The American Red Cross has contributed $300,000 to the IFRC emergency appeal to assist the Red Cross of Chad with cash assistance.
Colombia – Floods
In Colombia, flooding has caused serious damage to critical infrastructure such as housing, aqueducts, bridges, crops, health centers and schools.
More than 250,000 people, or 56,000 families, have been impacted. Additionally, over 12,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed.
The Colombian Red Cross is working to support more than 500 of the affected families through the delivery of essential food items and hygiene kits to promote health and disease prevention.
The American Red Cross has contributed $50,000 to support the Colombia floods response.
Honduras – Tropical Storm Sara
On November 14, 2024, Tropical Storm Sara made landfall near Cabo de Gracias a Dios, on the border between Honduras and Nicaragua, causing severe flooding, destruction of roads and bridges, and significant harm to homes, livelihoods,and water systems. An estimated 213,000 people have been affected. Many residents have been displaced to temporary shelters. The Honduran Red Cross (HRC) mobilized more than 800 volunteers to assist with the relief efforts.
The immediate priorities include distributing water and food, ensuring access to healthcare and medicines, providing psychosocial support, hygiene kits and jerrycans for water storage, securing adequate shelter, and restoring livelihoods and housing in affected areas.
The American Red Cross has contributed $50,000 to support the Honduran Red Cross and their response to Tropical Storm Sara.
Mozambique is facing a severe food crisis driven by prolonged drought. The country’s agricultural sector has been significantly affected, resulting in widespread food insecurity.
More than 20 million people have been affected by the drought, with 1.2 million at risk of severe food insecurity during the lean season. The crisis is expected to persist until at least the next harvest season in April - May 2025. Many households are now reliant on markets and humanitarian aid, resorting to coping mechanisms like rationing food, reducing meal frequency, and prioritizing children’s nutrition over adults.
The Mozambique Red Cross Society has mobilized its volunteers who are currently helping the affected population with water, healthcare, reconnecting families, protection and emergency aid.
The American Red Cross has contributed $300,000 to the IFRC emergency appeal to assist the Mozambique Red Cross Society with cash assistance and climate risk assessment support to meet the needs of those affected by the crisis.
In Nigeria, devastating floods have washed away entire villages and settlements. The widespread flooding has led to bridge collapses, school closures and restricted access to hospitals and markets, along with extensive damage to homes, infrastructure, crops and shelters, critically disrupting livelihoods and displacing thousands of households.
As of mid-September 2024, more than 924,000 people were impacted. More than 245,000 individuals reside in shelters or internally displaced (IDP) camps as more than 95,000 homes have been destroyed. Tragically, more than 300 people have died from the flooding. The agricultural sector has been devastated. Cholera cases have surged, with more than 7,000 suspected cases and a 2.9 percent fatality rate, putting over 400,000 people at risk, especially vulnerable groups like children and pregnant women.
The Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) has mobilized volunteers and staff across the country to support evacuation, camp management and relief operations. These efforts include evacuating affected individuals to safer areas and conducting awareness campaigns on water, sanitation and hygiene practices. The organization is also prepared to respond with cash and non-food items, and is implementing community-based health activities, including surveillance to identify active cases and risk communication to raise public awareness.
The American Red Cross has contributed $300,000 to the IFRC emergency appeal to assist the Nigerian Red Cross Society with cash assistance support to meet the needs of those affected by the crisis.
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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