By Abi Weaver, International Communications, American Red Cross

Wednesday, September 09, 2009 — While many global emergencies never make the headlines, the international Red Cross and Red Crescent network continuously works to alleviate the suffering caused by these forgotten disasters.

"Silent crises, like floods, food shortages and disease outbreaks, are slow to make news, but cause significant humanitarian needs," said Tracy Reines, director of the International Response Operations Center with the American Red Cross. "Regardless of where emergencies happen, the local Red Cross or Red Crescent society in that country is already in place, ready to respond rapidly and ensure that their neighbors do not have to wait for the world's attention."

Last year, the American Red Cross helped local volunteers respond to little-known emergencies in 15 countries by mobilizing financial support, relief items and personnel. Within recent months, three additional silent emergencies in Central Asia, the Middle East and Africa received our assistance.  

Late last spring, heavy rainfall in Tajikistan caused extreme flooding and mudslides that destroyed thousands of homes, washed away basic necessities and claimed dozens of lives.

Initially, the Tajikistan Red Crescent society responded by providing hygiene kits, blankets, tents, tarps, kitchen sets and other relief items from local stocks. Purification tablets and storage containers were also handed out to families whose primary water sources were contaminated.

"Later, many families received construction toolkits, which included a hammer, saw, rope, pliers and axes for building temporary shelters or repairing their homes," said Bethany Craig, program officer for Europe and Central Asia with the American Red Cross. "We funded dozens of these kits for families who were still in need of shelter months after the floods."

Faced with hardships of the opposite extreme, families in Syria are coping with worsening drought conditions. High temperatures and little rainfall have destroyed nearly all of the seasonal crops, jeopardizing the livelihoods and health of an estimated 1.3 million people in the eastern part of the country.

"The situation is growing more complex as families flee the drought-stricken area in search of water, food and work," said Christy Ferguson, program officer for the Middle East and South Asia with the American Red Cross. "Their migration to urban centers and growing healthcare needs are straining the country's already-stressed infrastructure. Many of Syria's cities are also hosting Iraqi refugees displaced during the ongoing conflict."

The Syrian Arab Red Crescent has mobilized teams to distribute food in the most vulnerable communities and medical supplies for those suffering from malnutrition and other life-threatening conditions. Red Crescent volunteers from neighboring countries are also supporting mobile clinics and water distribution so residents don't have to leave the area.

The American Red Cross recently committed $50,000 to help provide additional food, water, relief items and healthcare for this silent crisis.

Additionally, this spring, the American Red Cross contributed $200,000 to help respond to a wild poliovirus outbreak in Sudan. The aid will support the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, which is led by the World Health Organization, Rotary International, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and UNICEF. Alongside the local Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers, these partners are helping to prevent and care for this disabling disease throughout 15 countries in West, Central and East Africa.

With the support of the American public, we continue to monitor the humanitarian needs caused by forgotten disasters around the world, and stand ready to provide additional assistance, if requested.

You can help the victims of countless crises around the world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need. Donations to the International Response Fund can be made by phone at 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) or online at www.redcross.org.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.