Philippines: 10th Asia Pacific Regional Conference

The 10th Asia Pacific Regional Conference in Manila 11 to 14 November brings nearly 300 people from more than 50 countries in Asia, Pacific and Middle East together to discuss strategic issues, common concerns and learn from each others’ diverse contexts.

Indonesia: Lombok Earthquake

Three months ago a series of earthquakes and aftershocks rocked Lombok. Many schools were damaged or destroyed in the earthquakes. Emergency, makeshift schools are being built and classes have resumed on a part time basis. Teachers say they need supplies but have nowhere to store them - a concern in the rainy season. The Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) is helping people heal through its psychosocial support programme.

Indonesia: Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami

On 28 September, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, triggering a tsunami, mudslides and liquefaction. Thousands of people were left homeless, more than 2,000 people were killed, and at least 68,000 houses damaged or destroyed. The Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) responded immediately, with support from IFRC. In the first month of emergency operations, PMI mobilized approximately 800 staff and volunteers. They have taken part in activities ranging from distribution of emergency relief supplies, to providing health care, and psychosocial support.

Bangladesh: Population Movement Operation

Since 25 August 2017, more than 706,000 people have arrived in Bangladesh, fleeing violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine state and triggering one of the largest and most complex humanitarian crises in the region in decades. The IFRC continues to play a critical role supporting the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society and Red Cross and Red Crescent partners who are providing essential humanitarian relief in this massive international response.

DR Congo: 10th Ebola outbreak

A new outbreak of the Ebola virus disease that was declared in North Kivu province on 1 August 2018 has now become the country’s worst outbreak to date. The outbreak is ongoing in Beni, Mabalako and Butembo health zones in North Kivu and Tchomia health zone in Ituri.

DRC Red Cross staff and volunteers continue to engage in community engagement, conduct safe and dignified burials, and are improving water and sanitation systems, specifically in prisons.

Conflict makes this a highly complex operation. This outbreak is occurring in an area of armed conflict two decades.. Violence and displacement are a part of everyday life for people in North Kivu and this makes the outbreak even more deadly. Safe access for humanitarian organizations is a constant challenge.

In recent weeks, violence and insecurity have impacted Red Cross Ebola response efforts and there has been a worrying upsurge of Ebola cases in areas near the Ugandan border. Government authorities have put in place measures to protect health workers.

The DRC Red Cross has responded to all past Ebola outbreaks in the country and has a strong in-country network of experts.