BRITISH
サド
де
RED CROS S S O
9, Grosvenor Crescent,
London, SW1X 7EJ.
RECENT INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Mr. Figg.
663 GK 25019
63/79
IA/DJP/TJS
1st May, 1979.
MR
Contuler
Mice Home
9/5.
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VOLCANO ST VINCENT:
A series of volcanic eruptions have occurred on the island of t.Vincent, starting at the Easter weekend. 20,000 people (one-fifth of the population) have been evacuated to 61 centres i schools, churches and community entres in the south of the island. The St. Vince Red Cross, an Overseas Branch of the Eritish Red Cross, immediately distributed blankets and disaster kits and assisted in the centres and the hospitals. The BR.C.S. flew in 14 bales of knitted blankets and made available £2,000 to the Branch for local purchases. This was later supplemented by a donation of £1,000 from CAFOD.
The
As the evacuation will last at least 9 wecks and probably much longer, the B.R.C.S. has sent a disaster relief delegate to the island for 2 weeks to assess the situation and to determine the need for further assistance. This arrival coincided with a further ruption which left the island intensely hot and covered by ash. volcano is still very unstable and although help has been coming in from many sources certain needs have not yet been covered. The Society has therefore asked the League This has so far to make a limited appeal to North American and Caribbean Societies. resulted in a donation of $5,000 from the Canadian Red Cross which will be spent on rubber water tanks.
BURMA REPATRIATION (See Circular 43/79 of 1.3.79):
Repatriation continues at an increased rate; 30,000 have now been repatriated. The future feeding and health in the villages causes some concern, and the League and Burma Red Cross have extended their operation to supply milk not fly to children but to pregnant and lactating women and the sign. They have set up 14 milk stations which also issue vitamins and biscuits to the Children. It is like that a substantial number of people will have to remain in the Bangladesh Camps until later in the year as these are the "hard core" why will be thoroughly screened by the Burmese authorities before being allowed to return.
YUGOSLAVIA - EARTHQUAKE:
of people
On 15th April, severe earthquake tremors struck the Yugoslav Republic of Montenegro leaving over 200 dead, 1,000 injured and tens of thousands homeless. The Montenegro branch of the Red Cross immediate went into action, helping
Thanks to an in the rescue operation and bringin relief to the injured and homeless.
The excellent international response te emergency needs were covered within a week. Yugoslav Red Cross has now appeal for medium term assistance for the building of health centres and community centres, and for the reconstruction of a children's home which was destroyed in the earthquake. Vehicles have also been requested for the fansport of personnel and he B.R.C.S, with the help of contributions from CAFOD and he British-Yugoslav Society, is donating a Land over Station Wagon which will be sent out this week. A cash contribution of £2,000 has also been received from Help the Aged.
HONG KONG ASSISTANCE TO BOAT PEOPLE (See Circular 53/79 of 1.4.79)::
At the request of the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Society has sent out the Director of its International Welfare Department for approximately three weeks to help the Hong Kong Branch set up a card index for the nearly 23,000 refugees at present in Hong Kong, so as to facilitate tracing and welfare enquiries. Some 2,600 refugees are still being kept on board the "Sky Luck" but the Red Cross
p.t.o.