Saving Lives Changing Minds - International Federation Pacific/Newsletters/East Asi… · East Asia Regional Newsletter July 2015 International ederation of Red Cross and Red Crescent

Saving Lives Changing Minds East Asia Regional Newsletter of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)

FEATURE STORIESSPECIAL:Nepal earthquake, p2-3DPRK prepares for drought, p4Support in UB’s ger districts, p10Mongolia’s steppe fires put out, p10Micro-financing in Sichuan, p13RCSC relief to Ukraine, Russia, p14

Fighting MERS in Korea, p14Helping the vulnerable in Seoul, p15

REGIONAL EVENT UPDATESJRCS convention and awards, p7IFRC meets RCSC legal staff, p7East Asia Leaders meeting, p8First East Asia PMER workshop, p9

Tenth RCSC National Convention, p9

SECTORAL UPDATESHealth and care, p5Disaster management, p6, 11-13Resilience, development, youth, p16

Following the devastating earthquakes in Nepal, National Red Cross Societies from Japan, Mongolia, Korea, and China came to the aid of the affected population by sending emergency health teams, setting up temporary housing, and providing much needed relief items.

Rebuilding efforts continue in Nepal with strong support from East Asia National Societies.

Table of contents

East Asia National Societies respond to Nepal earthquake

www.ifrc.orgSaving lives, changing minds.

2015April-June#3

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East Asia Regional Newsletter July 2015International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

The Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) Medical Emergency Response Team was among the first foreign relief teams to arrive in Nepal after the earthquake on 25 April.

On 4 May, the team had already established a mobile clinic in Dahding Salenda, 23km from the epicentre.

Through the hard work of its 20 professional members, the team provided medical assistance to 3,500 patients within the first two weeks.

As part of its relief efforts, the RCSC also provided 2,000 tents that were distributed by the Nepal Red Cross to people who had lost their homes.

The Chinese Red Cross Foundation (CRCF) donated 5,000 family kits to earthquake-affected people in Nepal. Each kit consisted of daily necessities including a sleeping

bag, towel, dining wares and other essentials.

The family kits were purchased with funds from Red Cross of China Taobao Charity Fund, Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation Beijing and CRCF.

RCSC Hong Kong Branch (HKRC) sent 15 volunteers and staff members to Nepal to support emergency relief operations in the earthquake-affected area.

The team provided medical care and distributed blankets, hygiene kits, tarpaulins, shelter toolkits and other relief supplies to 110,000 victims.

An emergency tracing service hotline was also set up in Hong Kong, and a team of clinical psychologists were called together to provide support.

With the generous support of the Hong Kong community, the HKRC has raised over HK$40 million for

the Nepal earthquake as of early June. More than HK$9 million was allocated to supporting emergency relief.

In response to the Nepal earthquake, the Korean National Red Cross launched a large fundraising campaign through an event held at the Myeong-dong shopping district in Seoul, asking the Korean public to donate funds to help people affected by the earthquake.

To gain attention the organizers of the campaign used a large billboard covered in stickers that looked like a pile of bricks from a ruined house.

At the back side of the sticker the donation phone number and quick response code were written, and as supporters peeled off more stickers, a child appeared from underneath.

A young mother and her baby girl that was delivered by RCSC HK Branch nurse Ms. Carol Tse (left) working with local healthcare staff.

SPECIAL: Nepal earthquake response

CHINA

KOREA

Medical staff Walter Leung views a child’s X-ray at the mobile health clinic.

Stickers created by the Korean Red Cross includes a donation number and a QR code.

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On 27 April, only two days after the earthquake, the Japanese Red Cross Society (JRCS) started fundraising for the relief efforts through Mega Bank and other venues.

The funds are being used for the emergency relief activities such as the operations of emergency response units, and recovery programmes including construction of housing and public facilities such as schools and hospitals.

The JRCS advanced medical team, including a doctor and two nurses, deployed in late April. By

had already started working with local doctors in Melamchi town, Sidhuapalchok district to support a

local primary health care centre.

The second JRCS ERU deployment

one from RCSC Hong Kong Red Cross branch, who started working on 2 May.

On 10 May, the JRCS ERU team had established a mobile clinic in the districts of Dubachour, Taramarang (Batase) and Ichok (as of 23 May).

The team also provided psychosocial support to people affected by the disaster, such as those who are suffering from acute stress and children who have lost their homes and schools.

Following the Nepal earthquake on

25 April, the Mongolian Red Cross Society took a leading role in raising funds for affected communities in Nepal.

The fundraising campaign was launched with big concert, featuring the Morin Khuur Assembly, a famous traditional Mongolian folk band.

The concert was publicised under the theme of “Help Nepal,” and organizers made intensive use of social media to advertise it and reach as many supporters as possible.

Close cooperation with TV stations in Mongolia also helped to create awareness of ongoing fundraising activities in MRCS.

JAPAN

JRCS staff provide psychosocial support to a group of local villagers.

MONGOLIA

A member of JRCS medical team checks on a local child with a leg injury. JRCS sent dozens of medical personal to Nepal after the earthquake.

JRCS staff provide psychosocial services to local children.

SPECIAL: Nepal earthquake response

RCSC medical staff provide a check-up for a local children. The 20-member team from the RCSC provided care to 3,500 patients in the first two weeks after the earthquake.

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2 May,

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In recent months, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) has faced the worst drought in 100 years, a catastrophe which now threatens to cause widespread food shortages in the country.

A joint needs-assessment carried out by the local Government and humanitarian actors indicates that total crop production is likely to be reduced by 30-40 percent in the drought-affected areas, including a 40-50 percent reduction in the early harvest.

In preparation for these challenges, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has a long-term cooperation with the DPRK Red Cross Society on the implementation of various programmes that are conducted in close cooperation and coordination with the relevant authorities.

Areas of focus relevant to the response include disaster risk reduction, health and care, water and sanitation, and organizational development.

“There is also a limited supply of essential medicines and hygiene items, which makes things worse. This is why we are closely monitoring the drought situation and its impact,” says Khaled Masud Ahmed, Disaster Management Delegate based in Pyongyang.

As more information becomes available, the Red Cross’ activities will be adjusted and extended to provide special focus on activities that provide both immediate relief and longer-term benefits to communities.

“We are looking to provide water and sanitation systems, greenhouses for vegetable production and agro-forestry measures that generate food while protecting unstable hillsides from landslides,” Masud adds.

For the past 18 months, the prolonged dry weather in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has caused significantly less rainfall and snow.

The most significant shortfalls were recorded in North and South Hwanghae and Kangwon provinces, where there has been up to 75 percent decline in annual rainfall from 2012-2015.

Two thirds of the population of the DPRK depends on the public distribution of food and are now at risk from this drought.

Red Cross prepares for serious crop failures in DPRKFAILURE OF EARLY SUMMER CROPS MAY AFFECT TWO-THIRDS OF POPULATION

Due to prolonged spring drought, serious crop failures are expected in the Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK). (Photos provided by EUPS Unit 3)

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World Blood Donor DayAs part of the international campaign on World Blood Donor Day 14 June, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower in Shanghai turned red, reminding onlookers that every day thousands of blood donors are saving lives through their blood donations.

China was the host country for World Blood Donor Day in 2015. A large event was held in Shanghai city, attended by the Red Cross society of China, IFRC and other international organizations as well as national and municipal government representatives.

To commemorate the event, a “time capsule” made of stainless steel was filled with wishes from voluntary blood donors all over the world. It will be opened on World Blood Donor Day in 2025.

Nearly 13 million Chinese people voluntarily donated blood in 2014, a 40-fold increase from 1998 when China first enacted a Blood Donation Law, and there are now 9.4 blood donations per 1,000 people.

There is still more demand than supply of blood in the country, but the blood donations are nearing the World Health Organization recommended level, which is 10 to 30 donations per 1,000 people.

The Red Cross Society of China has a branch network covering all of the country and 2 million volunteers, which helps to make it one of the most important actors advocating for Voluntary Non-remunerated Blood Donation in China.

This year the national society branches launched an unprecedented number of blood donor campaigns.

“Blood donation is a very positive thing,” said Mr. Zhao, an employee of China Mobile who attended a blood donation event organized by Henan Provincial Red Cross branch on 8 May.

“I just want to do something for others.”

This was the fifth time Zhao gave blood, and hundreds of other dedicated donors lined up in front of the blood collection vehicles to do their share to save lives.

Nearly 1,000 people participated in the campaign that day, exceeding expectations.

Health and CareSectoral Updates

(Above) Red Cross volunteers assist blood donors to register at a blood donation facility in China; (below) Red Cross volunteers gather for the blood donation campaign. (Photos provided by

Henan RCSC branch)

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Providing support following ‘Eastern Star’ ferry accidentIn Jianli, a small city on the shores of Yangtze River in Hubei province, China, families are still mourning their loved ones after the ‘Eastern Star’ ferry accident on 1 June.

More than 450 people were on board the ferry when it capsized and only 12 people were saved, making it the most tragic accident on the Yangtze River for the past 70 years.

Red Cross Society of China emergency response teams from nearby provinces sent a total of 167 members to the scene immediately following the accident, providing search and rescue services and psychosocial support.

The accident was a heavy blow to family members of those who died. Many of the mourning spouses and children of the deceased passengers were unable sleep or eat for many days.

The tragedy also had deep impact on the members of the rescue teams, who were mostly in their twenties and had never before experienced such sadness.

To deal with the overwhelming situation, 12 specialized volunteers were sent by RCSC Hubei branch to provide psychosocial support, giving not only advice and comfort, but also sweets, building trust, helping people to calm down and regain energy.

At the end of June the Red Cross psychosocial support team had returned to Wuhan, the capital city of Hubei Province, leaving behind a community that is now recovering from this terrible loss.

Disaster ManagementSectoral Updates

Red Cross emergency volunteers search for survivors following the ‘Eastern Star’ ferry accident in Jianli, Hubei province, China.

‘Eastern Star’ had 456 people on board when it capsized on 1 June;

Only 12 rescued, making it the most tragic accident on the Yangtze river in the last 70 years;

Strong storms and a possible tornado were to blame for the capsizing;

The ferry carried mostly elderly tourists;

RCSC branches in nearby provinces sent emergency response teams with a total of 167 members to the scene following the accident;

RCSC teams provided search and rescue services as well as psychosocial support (PSS) to families of those who died.

‘EASTERN STAR’ FERRY ACCIDENT DETAILS

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JAPANESE RED CROSS SOCIETY CONVENTION AND AWARDSAt this year’s Japanese Red Cross Society Convention, Honorary President of the Japanese Red Cross Society, Her Majesty the Empress of Japan awarded 13 Red Cross representatives with the Medal for Merit for their remarkable achievement in the development of national society.

Gold and silver medals were awarded to 90 individuals and 31 companies at the convention in Meiji-Jingu Hall in Shibuya, Tokyo on 13 May.

Around 1,400 Japanese Red Cross staff and volunteers attended the event.

Tadateru Konoe, president of Japanese Red Cross Society, addressed the convention, reminding his audience that 50 years have passed since the seven fundamental principles were created, and that they have since then been shared and honored by the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement around the globe.

President Konoe also reported on the successful mission to Nepal by the Japanese Red Cross healthcare team and introduced the continuous work on disaster prevention and reduction, expressing his expectation that the Junior Red Cross and Red Cross Volunteers will be playing a greater role in this field.

IFRC TEAM MEETS RCSC LEGAL STAFF IN BEIJINGThe IFRC team had a meeting with the legal staff of Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) in Beijing on June 26.

Mr. Frank Mohrhauer, Head of Governance Support, Policy and Implementation Oversight Department of IFRC, gave a general introduction of the Statute Meeting which would be held in Geneva in December, 2015. He also included the reform that IFRC decides to launch on plan and budget, the statute amendment and the governance structure.

The Vice President of RCSC, Mr. Wang Rupeng, gave a presentation on amendment of the Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Red Cross Society, which was launched last year.

The amendment concentrates on ten areas, involving the legal status of RCSC, the legal duty and responsibilities and the governance structure. Mr. Wang also expressed concern in the IFRC statute meeting and hopes to further the cooperation with IFRC in the future.

Honorary President of the Japanese Red Cross Society, Her Majesty the Empress of Japan presenting awards at a convention on 13 May.

RCSC leaders meet IFRC team and American Red Cross Representative

RECENT EVENTS FROM THE REGION

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EAST ASIA LEADERS CALL FOR MORE REGIONAL COOPERATIONThe recent East Asia National Red Cross Societies leaders meeting, which was held in Ulaan Baatar from 23-25 June, concluded with the endorsement of the Regional Cooperation Plan of Action, with a focus on developing a Regional Disaster Response Team and enhancing regional cooperation on disaster response, capacity building, fundraising, community resilience, health, youth and volunteering.

Leaders attended the meeting from all five National Societies in the region as well as representatives from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies,

and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

It followed up on the Beijing Call for Innovation and commitments made at the East Asia leaders meeting in 2014.

Members of the East Asia Youth Network (EAYN), who had their summit in parallel to the meeting, presented EAYN’s plan of action to participants of the leaders meeting.They introduced activities related to the exchange of resources and knowledge sharing within the network.

They also presented new plans aimed at supporting and engaging

young people through more training and better communication.

At the meeting, also called the East Asia Five Plus (EA5+) leaders forum, leaders committed to working together to build resilient, innovative, principled, and financially sustainable National Societies, recognizing the need to create a platform for strategic dialogue and cooperation on key humanitarian challenges in the East Asia region.

During the meeting leaders also signed a joint statement by National Societies in East Asia noting the significance of the 50th Anniversary of the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross Red Crescent.

Leaders from all five National Societies in the region, as well as representatives from the IFRC and ICRC met in Ulaan Baatar 23-25 June to discuss increased regional cooperation.

To support the implementation of the Beijing Call for Innovation;

To share success stories of accessing long term development funding from governments through the National Societies’ auxiliary role, as well as from the private sector;

To support the implementation of the Beijing Youth Commitments 2014, “Young Humanitarians in Action”;

To share best practices on volunteer development;

To assist National Societies in other regions in tackling pandemic diseases;

To establish the East Asia Regional Disaster Cooperation Framework;

To strengthen the resilience of communities to prevent and reduce human suffering;

To reinforce greater coherence between the EA 5+ Framework and other regional processes (EA regional community resilience plan).

EAST ASIA RED CROSS SOCIETIES LEADERS AGREEMENT DETAILS

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RCSC HOLDS 1OTH NATIONAL CONVENTION, PRESIDENT XI SHOWS HIS SUPPORTThe 10th National Convention of the Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on 5-6 May.

State President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang attended the

convention.In his remarks, President Xi urged governments at all levels to give more support to RCSC and help the organization tackle challenges to its development.

He called on RCSC to promote reform and innovation and give sincere care to people in need.

Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong and Vice President Li Yuanchao also attended the opening ceremony.

During the convention, the RCSC approved a decision on a work report submitted by the RCSC council, a decision on the RCSC’s 2015-2019 development plan, and a decision on revising the RCSC’s charter.

A new leadership was elected and appointed by the National Convention. Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao was appointed honorary president of the Red Cross Society of China (RCSC).

Han Qide, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, was appointed honorary vice president.

Chen Zhu, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, was elected president of the RCSC.

The Great Hall of the People hosts the 10th National Convention of the Red Cross Society of China.

FIRST PLANNING, MONITORING, EVALUATION AND REPORTING (PMER) WORKSHOP IN BEIJINGThe first East Asia regional workshop on PMER was organized in Beijing from 7-10 April this year.

More than 20 participants from all five National Societies in the region, and representatives from Hong Kong Red Cross branch and Taiwan Red Cross Organization, joined IFRC staff at the workshop.

Peter Ophoff and Kit Roche from IFRC Zone PMER Department in Kuala Lumpur facilitated the training sessions, covering topics such as project cycle management, result-based management, logical frameworks and other programme-

related issues.

Specific IFRC planning and reporting issues were also addressed, mainly

related to Development Operational Reports (DOR) and Long-term Planning Frameworks (LTPF).

PMER participants pose for a photo in Beijing at the first East Asia regional workshop on PMER.

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Fifteen years ago, Mrs. Oyunehiung Baldon moved to the capital to start a new life.

She was finally able to settle down in one poorest neighbourhoods of Bayazurkh district in Ulaan Baatar. The first year she had nothing but a sheet of greenhouse plastic to protect herself and her two little daughters against the extreme cold of the Mongolian winter.

There are no paved roads or sewage systems where Oyunehiung lives, and until recently it took her hours to fetch water for basic cooking and washing.

Fortunately the Bayazurkh Red Cross branch was finally able to establish a water point nearby.

The water point is only one of many projects by the Red Cross branch to support people in the ger districts.

“The Red Cross volunteers are always there to support us when we need help,” said Oyuhehiung,

recalling the time when a severe flood caused damage and pollution in the neighbourhood and the Red Cross gave chlorine tablets, jerry cans and clothes to more than a thousand affected families.

“Oyunehiungs family now has at least a warm ger to live in, which is very important now that she has two small granddaughters to care for,” said Mrs. Gerelmaa D, who has been working at the Bayazurkh Red Cross branch for many years.

Volunteers from the branch provide Oyunehiung with basic hygiene items, clothes, and health education, including prevention of diseases like TB.

“I don’t feel as worried as before,” said Oyuhehiung. “Every day things are getting a little better.”

After years of struggles with poverty and misfortunes, stability is now finally returning to Oyunehiung’s life.

Mrs. Oyunehiung Baldon (second from left) and a Mongolian Red Cross volunteer in one of Ulaan Baatar’s poorest ger neighbourhoods, Bayazurkh district.

Red Cross helps settlers in Ulaan Baatar’s ger districts

Serious steppe fires spread through the eastern provinces of Mongolia in April this year, exacerbated by dry weather and strong winds.

Hundreds of herder families lost everything in the fires and the Mongolian Red Cross Society, supported by the IFRC, responded quickly by distributing food items and mattresses.

To assist the affected population the National Society launched a national campaign under the slogan “Rice of Love,” raising the equivalent of CHF 15,000 through the work of its volunteers and youth networks.

A contribution of CHF 10,000 from IFRC was used to purchase and distribute blankets and mattresses to affected families in three provinces.

From February until the end of April this year, 86 steppe and forest fires were registered in Mongolia. The Mongolian armed forces and local emergency management agencies were successful in extinguished the major steppe fires in only a few days.

Herder families used traditional methods, like soaking their gers in water, to save their homes but the fires were so swift and intense that in many cases this was not sufficient,

resulting in terrible loss of homes and other property.

Sukhbaatar province has lost 80 percent of their pasture land in the fires.

PUTTING OUT STEPPE FIRES IN MONGOLIA

MRCS and IFRC staff dispatch relief items for families affected by the steppe fires.

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RCSC Beijing branch demonstrates urban disaster response capacityOn the 7th National Disaster Prevention and Reduction Day, which is held in China annually on 12 May, the Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) Beijing branch organized an emergency response simulation, demonstrating its well-developed capacity to respond to emergency situations in the city.

The exercise simulated a coordinated response to a stampede, which is a typical man-made disaster in cities with high population density.

Branch staff and volunteers used a modern video command system to connect its management team with district chapters. This system is designed for real-time communication and timely information sharing in relief operations.

The simulation exercise involved bystanders and Red Cross

volunteers and staff who provided first aid and referred injured people to the hospital.

Representatives from the IFRC and the ICRC also attended the event. One of the most important parts of the exercise was the thoroughly planned coordination with public service authorities including safety supervision bureau, seismological and meteorology bureaus, and local enterprises.

Beijing is one of the mega-cites of China, with a population that exceeds 22 million.

Its Red Cross branch has over the years become one of the strongest in the country.

A large new fleet of helicopters and ambulances in Beijing demonstrates its capacity to provide relief services.

Twenty-six new Emergency Response Voluntary Service Stations were also announced.

Disaster Management

Chinese Red Cross volunteers and staff demonstrate urban disaster response capacity following a mock stampede in Beijing.

Sectoral Updates

Chinese Red Cross volunteers and staff demonstrate emergency first aid skills.

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Successful growth for Hubei Red Cross’ disaster response programFollowing a major disaster, capacity for immediate response often means the difference between life and death.

To respond to these dire situations, Emergency Response Teams (ERT) have been created around China and the world to prepare groups of field experts to respond during a catastrophe.

In May, the Hubei Red Cross branch water ERT completed a final training and simulation session, marking the successful completion of a four-year capacity building programme.

Because of their success, the Hubei provincial government has committed 500,000RMB annually to be used for purchase and maintenance of equipment and capacity building.

Six years ago, the Hubei Red Cross water ERT was one of the first national ERTs in China. Since then, they have responded to many disasters.

After the 8.0 magnitude earthquake in Sichuan Province in 2008, the IFRC, together with Spanish Red Cross and British Red Cross, supported the Red Cross Society of China to establish professional water and sanitation ERTs in Hubei, Hunan and Yunnan Province to respond to issues around water cleanliness and safety.

The Chinese Red Cross now has 21 national ERTs with expertise in water, sanitation, psychosocial support, relief, medical services, communication and more.

“I am very happy to see the fruitful outcomes of the Hubei Water

ERT project — a well-equipped, experienced and professional team,” said Sofia Stoimenova, the Head of Regional Delegation in East Asia.

“These are sustainable achievements and a good example to follow,” said Stoimenova.

Always on standbyWhat makes the operations of the Hubei Red Cross branch water Emergency Response Team (ERT) successful is a well-trained and stable volunteer team.

Liu Shengxi, one of the most senior members, has taken part in Hubei water ERT for the past five years.

“Our most challenging mission was the Lushan Earthquake response in 2013,” said Liu, who in total has more than 20 years of experience in the water and sanitation field.

The team of 12 ERT volunteers had to travel 1,500 kilometers non-stop with trucks carrying equipment. As soon as they arrived they started

unloading the trucks, and worked until late at night.

“But this was actually when the real challenge started. When at last we were supplying purified water to the villagers, they did not want to use it because of the chemical odor, and they continued to use water directly from the stream,” said Liu.

After several days of intensive dissemination work by the volunteers about the importance of safe water in preventing an outbreak of waterborne diseases, villagers stopped using the polluted water from the stream.

“Of course I would go again,” says the 49-year-old volunteer when asked whether he would take part in another similar mission.

“I am very happy do something for people who are affected by disasters, and also the next generation of volunteers needs to be trained and fostered. This is what I am working on now.”


RCSC Hubei branch Water ERT demonstrates its water treatment skills.

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Red Cross Society of China Responds to Earthquake in XinjiangThe Red Cross Society of China provided swift response to a 6.5-magnitude earthquake that struck Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in the western part of China on the morning of 3 June.

Red Cross volunteers and staff were immediately mobilized by Xinjiang provincial branch to set up tents and distribute rice, flour and cooking oil to those who had lost their homes.

Fifty thick tents and 1,000 quilts were released from a nearby Red Cross disaster preparedness centre.

“This was not a very strong earthquake, but it caused great damage to property.

At the moment, beds and medicines are what the disaster-affected people need most urgently,” said Wang Changlin, disaster management staff at the Xinjiang Province branch, who arrived in the earthquake-hit region with

his colleagues on the day of the earthquake to investigate the needs of the affected people.

Together with Red Cross volunteers, Wang and his team set up tents and distributed relief items to beneficiaries in the area that was hardest hit by the earthquake.

To prepare for the post-disaster reconstruction, Xinjiang Red Cross branch carried out a survey on the situation of public health facilities to evaluate the extent of the damage.


RCSC staff survey damage in Xinjiang following a 6.5-magnitude earthquake.

Tents set up by the RCSC in Xinjiang.

Zhao Renhua is one of hundreds of people affected by the 2009 Sichuan earthquake who are now running successful small businesses enterprises after having received vocational and business training as well as micro-financing through the IFRC/RCSC small loans programme.

The Sichuan earthquake destroyed a large turbine factory in Zhundao township, northwest of Mianzhu City, where Zhao Renhua used to work.

For a while he was able to get temporary work but then his health started to fail, and he could no longer get a job.

Renhua tried to think of ways to support his family, eventually deciding to spend a month in Henan province studying mushroom cultivation.

After his studies he realized that he would not be able to raise enough capital to start his own mushroom farm, but it was then that he saw the Red Cross small loan programme advertised in a local newspaper.

Renhua immediately submitted a loan application, and the next day people from the local Red Cross branch came to visit him.

They asked very detailed questions about his plans and knowledge, including mushroom planting techniques, production cycles and market prices.

Renhua fulfilled all requirements and received a subsidized loan.

He is now running a successful mushroom farm and likes to sit down comfortably in the evening with his six-year old son on his knees and calculate his profits.

Micro-finance program helps long after earthquake

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The Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) has donated humanitarian aid valued at 40 million RMB through the Russian Red Cross and Ukraine Red Cross to assist internally displaced people (IDP) and other conflict-affected people in Russia and Ukraine.

This includes medical supplies such as mobile X-ray units and electrocardiograph machines, as well basic necessities.

A delegation from the Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) visited Russia in May to hand over the materials.

The delegation also visited a settlement in Kiev where much needed relief items from the RCSC were distributed among 7,800 internally displaced people (IDP).

Haddara, a Ukrainian IDP who

received kitchen tools, quilts and blankets said that the situation of the family is slowly getting better. Her children have returned to school and her husband has found a job.

“I believe life will one day return to normal,” said Haddara optimistically, although she is still mourning her youngest boy who was killed by a stray bullet.

“It is shocking to see how many people have been seriously injured

in the conflict, and I am very glad to see that our medical devices are helping the patients to recover,” said Zhang Hui, a member of the RCSC delegation during her visit to one of the Ukrainian hospitals that received medical equipment from the RCSC .

The RCSC hopes to be able further develop its long-term relationship with the National Red Cross Societies of both Russia and Ukraine and continue to support the life-saving relief efforts.

RCSC gives humanitarian aid to Russia, Ukraine

RCSC delegates check packages before they are sent off to conflict affected people in Russia and Ukraine.

Since the outbreak of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in Korea, the Korean National Red Cross has been playing an important role supporting the patients and preventing further spread of the disease.

By mid-June, 27 patients had died from the virus, and another 172 people were confirmed to have been infected. There are 3,800 currently in isolation.

About 25,000 volunteers have distributed relief supplies to 6,400 individuals quarantined at home,

providing information about prevention measures, psychosocial support, counselling and support.

The Red Cross has also performed health checks on around 27,000 people.

A webinar conducted by the International Federation of Red cross and Red Crescent Societies’ (IFRC) health unit was recently organized to provide information and the latest update on the virus.

Responding to MERS in Korea

Korean Red Cross staff transport relief items to beneficiaries in Busan, South Korea.

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Every week, Mrs. Seun Young Choi receives a visit from Myeong Joon Yoo, who is a volunteer from the Dobongu Chapter of the Korean Red Cross.

It is one of the very few opportunities Mrs. Choi has to meet with other people, because the injuries to her hips make it extremely difficult for her to leave her room, which is in a deep, window-less basement in one of the poorest areas of Seoul.

The modern capital of the South Korea is best known for its wealth and advanced technologies, but like in any other society, there are those who are less fortunate, people who have lost their health, homes, livelihoods as well as friends and families.

However, when all hope seems to be lost, often it is the Red Cross that

comes to the rescue.

“Not long ago I was unable to walk up the stairs to get out of the house. I didn’t have a phone to call anyone, and not even my son came to visit me.

“I did not qualify for assistance from the government, and I was unable to work,” said Mrs. Choi.

“She would probably have died if we had not found her during one of the

searches we sometimes carry out in the poorest areas,” said Mrs. Yoo, who is the Dean of the Dobongu Red Cross Chapter.

Mrs. Yoo also belongs to a group of volunteers who visit the homes of vulnerable people in their district.

Their work is part of the Windmill of Hope programme, which gives support to children, elderly people and multicultural families who are unable to cope with various difficulties.

A few months ago, Mrs. Choi was waiting on the sidewalk to cross a street when a thief on a motorcycle tried to grab her bag.

She was able to hold on to the bag, but was thrown so violently to the ground that she suffered serious injuries to her hips.

“I was so dazed after the attack that at first I did not realize how badly I was hurt. Somehow I was able to return home, but instead of recovering I just got worse,” said Mrs. Choi.

“Suddenly I had no way of earning an income. I was all alone, and after some time I was barely able to get out of my bed.”

Fortunately her situation has improved.

Thanks to the loving care of the Red Cross volunteers, Mrs. Choi is now getting medical treatment and food, and she is starting to move around more easily.

/ “Suddenly I had no way of earning an income. I was all alone, and after some time I was barely able to get out of my bed.”Mrs. Seun Young Choi /

When all hope is lost, Red Cross volunteers in Seoul come to the rescue

Korean Red Cross volunteers with Mrs. Seun Young Choi, a Seoul resident and beneficiary.

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Resilience and Development, YouthResilience program strengthens communities in SichuanThe 53-year-old farmer Xie Xianliang knows better than to expect a harvest in drought year.

However, the frequent crop failures may soon be history in Xie Jiamiao village.

With the support of the Integrated Community Resilience and Development Programme (ICRD), a water reservoir has been built.

It provides enough water to irrigate about 54 hectares of land and benefits around 1,000 villagers.

“The rain water is collected into the reservoir. Then we use it to irrigate the fields when there is drought,” said Xie Xianliang.

Xie Jiamiao is only one several villages in Sichuan that are being supported by the ICRD programme, which was launched in 2013 and implemented by RCSC with IFRC support.

It combines both infrastructure projects and training for community members to improve their resilience against internal and external risks.

This ongoing programme has already benefited a total of 24,459 people in Sichuan alone.

Like in other villages in Sichuan, there is a disproportionally high number of children and elderly in Xie Jiamiao. They tend to be the most vulnerable group in times of disasters.

In order to strengthen their resilience to risks, the ICRD programme gives them variety of trainings, such as fire prevention, first aid, road safety, and non-communicable disease prevention.

Like in many other areas supported by the ICRD programme, the people in Xie Jiamiao village have begun to make changes on their own.

East Asia Youth Network develops two-year plan of actionTwelve youth members from the five National Societies in East Asia attended the East Asia Youth Network (EAYN) meeting on 22-24 June in Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia.

Participants developed and agreed upon a joint two-year plan of action based on the challenges, needs and strengths of youth activities in each National Society.

As part of their two-year plan, the EAYN will focus on increased ownership of Red Cross services by young volunteers and stronger engagement through peer-to-peer approaches.

In connection to these activities a regional community consultation platform and advocacy channel to National Societies will be established, and a stronger emphasis placed on collection and sharing of good practices in the region.

Additionally the EYN will organize special social media campaigns aimed at strengthening the culture of non-violence, mutual understanding and peace among younger generations in the region.

A regional youth exchange platform and a regional YABC human resource roster will also be established as part of planned activities.

Xie Xianliang, a farmer from Xie Jiamiao village in Sichuan, discusses the benefits of the Integrated Community Resilience and Development Programme with a volunteer.

IFRC East Asia Regional Delegation

4-1-131 Jianguo Men Wai Diplomatic Compound100600 BeijingP.R. China

Hler Gudjonsson, Regional Communications Delegate, East Asiaemail: [email protected]: (+86) 10 6532 7162/3/4twitter: @hlergudjonsson

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Saving Lives Changing Minds - International Federation Pacific/Newsletters/East Asi… · East Asia Regional Newsletter July 2015 International ederation of Red Cross and Red Crescent