Weekly Worldwide Wrap-Up

Welcome to the Weekly Worldwide Wrap-Up, in which we consolidate the international Red Cross and Red Crescent news into one list of bite-sized links for you. It's a non-comprehensive sampling of the larger and/or more intriguing aspects of our global work...

JAPAN: Red Cross relief in Japan is more than food and blankets. Psychosocial nurses are helping survivors deal with the emotional impact of disaster, while on the other side of the globe the Irish Red Cross has started an online message board for the public to post messages of support the people of Japan.


SOMALIA: The British Red Cross is supporting Somalia Red Crescent efforts to continue providing food, healthcare, water and sanitation facilities in response to a severe drought.

KENYA: The IFRC and Kenya Red Cross are taking early action to tackle drought.

Côte d'Ivoire: Before the fighting started, the city of Toulepleu had a population of between 40,000 and 50,000. Today, just 3,000 people remain in or near the town. Everyone else has fled. The ICRC and the Red Cross Society of Côte d'Ivoire have begun providing emergency aid for those who remain.

TUNISIA: Red Crescent volunteers have been caring for thousands of migrant workers stuck in the Djerba airport after fleeing the violence in Libya.

LIBYA: In the still unstable city of Ajdabiya, the ICRC and Libyan Red Crescent staff delivered enough lentils, oil, rice, salt, tea and sugar to 15,000 people to cover their needs for a month. They also distributed blankets, cooking sets and hygiene kits.

GLOSSARY:

ICRC = International Committee of the Red Cross
IFRC = International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

5th Place: Choices

The Red Cross saw amazing turn out for the MOFILM PSA/Short Film Competition. We'll be sharing the top 5 entries with you, beginning with the 5th place entry titled, Choices by David Zandman.

It might just inspire you to donate now.

Dog Saved by Impromptu CPR

Sugar was incredibly lucky that her trainer was able to perform CPR successfully despite that fact that he had never received any formal instruction. It is nearly impossible, however, that those who haven't been trained in CPR could perform the skill successfully. We are thankful that Sugar was a lucky pup but her story just goes to show the importance of learning Canine or Feline CPR.

Read the full story here or watch below.

Our next Pet First Aid and CPR class is April 16, offered in partnership with the Animal Compassion Network to celebrate National Pet First Aid Awareness Month! Sign up today with the American Red Cross or call (828) 258-3888 ext. 207 or 214.

Animal Lovers Unite!: Pet First Aid with CPR

Make no mistake about it; Asheville is an animal lover’s town.

We’ve got bakeries for dogs, hand-sewn locally-made toys for cats, “Dog is Love” bumper stickers adorning our cars. But how many of us could save the life of one of our furry friends if we had to?

That’s why the Red Cross of WNC in partnership with Animal Compassion Network is offering a one of a kind Pet First Aid with CPR course... just in time for National Pet First Aid Awareness Month! (Yes, it's a real thing! Google it!)

Because even though cats and dogs seem to be able to figure out how to open peanut butter jars (true story!) or unlock fences... they can't always help themselves in a true time of need.


Pet First Aid with CPR training covers the immediate and temporary care given to an injured animal until it can be taken to a professional veterinarian for more advanced attention and treatment. The four-hour course will be held on Saturday, April 16^th from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Asheville-Mountain Area Chapter (100 Edgewood Road in North Asheville). Cost of the course is $35 and registration is required. Participants will receive a Pet First Aid manual co-developed with the Humane Society of the United States.

Specifically, the course offers instruction in the following:

• Signs of cardiac arrest and how to care for a pet this circumstance.
• Signs of breathing emergencies, including choking and how best to provide care.
• How to administer rescue breathing to a dog or cat.
• How to control life-threatening bleeding.
• How and when to move an injured pet.
• Signs of sudden illness, including poisoning, seizures, heat and cold emergencies and how to treat them.
• Components of a good “pet friendly” first aid kit.

For additional information on the class and to register, please call 828-258-3888, ext. 207 or simply click here.

Stylish Ways to Support the Rising Sun!

Making charitable donations has never been so easy... or chic!

Japanese culture has long been unmatched in its adventurous trends of fashion and creative style. Now, in the wake of disaster, a few fashion designers and artists in America have taken their cues from the impeccable style of the Rising Sun. Consider supporting the Red Cross Disaster Relief efforts in Japan... all the while, treating yourself to a snazzy item.

The following are a few amazing items, offering proceeds to Red Cross Disaster Relief In Japan.

Opening Ceremony Red Cross Japan Tee -- $30

Hey JoJo Studios (Portland) Hope For Japan Poster -- $25


Kate Spade Hearts Japan Tote Bag -- $18

Wieden + Kennedy (Portland) Help Japan Poster -- $25

Weekly Worldwide Wrap-Up!

Welcome to the Weekly Worldwide Wrap-Up, in which we consolidate the international Red Cross and Red Crescent news into one list of bite-sized links for you. It’s a non-comprehensive sampling of the larger and/or more intriguing aspects of our global work…

JAPAN: The Red Cross is scaling up relief efforts to meet the huge needs. To date, the Japanese Red Cross has handed out more than 125,000 blankets and 20,700 emergency kits – including portable radios, flashlights and other supplies – to help evacuees cope with the cold weather and lack of electricity. Other badly needed items, such as diapers, baby food, undershirts and face masks, are being procured from within the country as well. In parallel with the distribution of relief goods, Red Cross planners are also consulting with the local authorities to map out other ways of making survivors’ lives more comfortable during their stay in evacuation centers.

BANGLADESH: Since the current crisis erupted in Libya, the ICRC has been helping thousands of Bangladeshi workers who have fled the country.

SOMALIA: With ICRC support, the Somali Red Crescent Society has opened two new health clinics in conflict and drought-affected regions to serve more than 100,000 people.

WORLDWIDE: The ICRC is helping Latin American prisons eradicate tuberculosis. Meanwhile other members of the global Red Cross and Red Crescent network are addressing TB around the world in places like China, India, and Siberia.

GLOSSARY:

ICRC = International Committee of the Red Cross
IFRC = International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Do you know your [Red Cross] ABC's?

March is Red Cross Month. 2011 is Red Cross of WNC's Centennial Year. There's no better time to become a Hero for the American Red Cross. And it all starts with something as simple as the ABC's:

The ABC's of Red Cross in WNC!

Since its founding in 1911, the American Red Cross of WNC has been the region's premier emergency response organization. As part of a worldwide movement that offers neutral humanitarian care to the victims of war, the American Red Cross distinguishes itself by also aiding victims of devastating natural disasters. Over the years, the organization has expanded its services, always with the aim of preventing and relieving suffering.

Today, the American Red Cross of WNC offers service in four primary areas. Learn our ABCD's of Service:

A - Armed Forces. The Red Cross provides timely emergency communications services to members of the Armed Forces and their families during times of deployment. Last year the Red Cross of WNC provided services to 439 military members and/or families in the region.

B - Blood Services. In the Carolinas, the Red Cross collects and distributes lifesaving blood products to 100+ hospitals, saving thousands of lives each year. Accident victims, individuals undergoing surgeries and those fighting disease in WNC alone require 1600+ pints of blood every day. Blood donors throughout WNC have access to hundreds of blood drives held throughout a 16 country area to give the gift of life.

C - Classes. Health and Safety services are the hallmarks of the Red Cross. CPR, First Aid, Aquatics, Babysitting, Wilderness First Aid and Pet First Aid are some of the many courses taught by staff and volunteer instructors. In fact, last year, nearly 40,000 individuals throughout WNC received some type of Red Cross instruction. On CPR Saturday, held annually, over 600 individuals were trained in CPR free of charge.

D - Disaster Response. The winters of 2009 - 2010 proved to be two of the most challenging on record in WNC. In response to the numerous snowstorms, power outages and a major landslide, the Red Cross of WNC opened 34 emergency shelters, housed over 2,000 individuals and fed more than 4,000 meals to residents and travelers. Our volunteer Disaster Response Teams also responded to 269 home fires affecting 310 families. Families were provided shelter, food, clothing and emergency funds.

Ready to be a Hero for the American Red Cross? Click here.