season
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
(IFRC) has launched an appeal for 6.4 million Swiss francs (5.8 million
US dollars or 3.9 million Euro) to support the humanitarian operation of
the Cuban Red Cross, which is responding to a very destructive hurricane
season.
The funds are urgently needed to allow the Cuban Red Cross to help 8,000
families over the next nine months. Immediate needs include the
provision of family kits, kitchen kits, mosquito nets, mattresses, sheet
sets, towels and water filters, according to IFRC specialists on the ground.
Hurricane Gustav affected more than 60 per cent of Cuba's territory, and
damage has been sustained across the housing, education, poultry and
fishing, electricity and telecommunication services sectors.
To make matters worse Hurricane Ike is currently cutting through Cuba
leaving a path of destruction in its wake which, although too early to
assess, will undoubtedly complicate the current humanitarian response as
well as increase the vulnerability and needs of the affected population.
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement has been
coordinating efforts both inside and outside the country since the onset
of the emergency. Shelter and disaster specialists have been deployed to
Cuba to support the Red Cross as it assesses the initial needs. The
IFRC, through its Pan American Disaster Response Unit, has dispatched a
cargo plane loaded with emergency supplies for 3,300 families from its
base in Panama.
The Cuban Red Cross has faced many hurricanes and has extensive disaster
response experience. Their disaster preparedness initiatives are well
established and known by all Red Cross volunteers and staff.
The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian
activities of 186 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among
vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and
encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human
suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International
Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red
Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/SHIG-7JBCQV?OpenDocument
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