Emergency Humanitarian Assistance in the Americas - ICRC 2009

Insecurity organized crime armed conflict extreme poverty and environmental degradation plague many countries in Latin America and the Caribbean including El Salvador Guatemala Honduras Mexico Colombia and Haiti. These challenges are leaving many civilian populations in need of humanitarian assistance in the areas of protection heath nutrition water and sanitation. CIDA's contribution is helping to support the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in meeting the humanitarian needs of the most vulnerable populations in the Americas especially in protecting and assisting populations exposed to violence. Particular activities include maintaining an emergency stock of water and basic household supplies for 15 000 people; providing staff training medicines and materials to health centres treating victims of sexual violence; and helping National Red Cross Societies to carry out first-aid primary and preventive health care and assistance activities for vulnerable communities exposed to violence. In addition ICRC expects to provide emergency food assistance to over 58 000 internally displaced persons and up to 4 000 conflict-affected residents for up to three months.