Update 16.4. Cruz Vermelha Italiana

URSDAY APRIL, 16 2009
UPDATE ABRUZZO EMERGENCY

EASTER DEDICATED TO SOLIDARITY IN THE RED CROSS CAMPS

THERE ARE NOW 6 ItRC ADVANCED MEDICAL POSTS
2 PLAYROOMS FOR THE CHILDREN
5 ItRC CAMPS WITH 4500 BEDS
600 VOLUNTEERS AND OPERATORS
22.000 MEALS A DAY PROVIDED

Easter dedicated to solidarity and to psychological support in the camps run by the Italian Red Cross in the areas hit by the earthquake...

9000 chocolate eggs donated by different companies to the ItRC were distributed this morning to the homeless in the camps. In trying to alleviate the suffering of those assisted, this afternoon many recreational activities have been organized especially for the young children, the elderly and for the differently abled. Volunteers and staff of the Red Cross have organized games and various forms of entertainment. The activities will be carried out not only in the Red Cross camps but also in the camps of Montereale and Castelnuovo San Pio. A group of clowns is present in the ItRC camp of San Gregorio.

Six Advanced Medical Posts of the Red Cross are now operational (II° level A.M.P., teams of volunteer doctors and nurses for medical aid and assistance) and 2 triage tents for primary First Aid screening.

Two playrooms offered by the Ministry for Equal Opportunities, Happy Family non-profit organization, run by the Italian Red Cross with a capacity for 100 children are now open. Inside tables, chairs, footballs, toys, blackboards and games. The Italian Red Cross will be setting up more playrooms in the following days.

The SEP teams for psychological support are active and at present close to the families hit by the tragedy. To date 10 volunteer psychologists and 10 volunteers are providing psychosocial support.

The Italian Red Cross is running a total of 6 camps in the areas hit by the earthquake; two in Assergi, one in San Gregorio, one in Collemaggio and the fifth in Centicolella. The beds available are now 4500. A sixth camp is used to accommodate ItRC staff active in the disaster zone. In all 5 Red Cross camps the shower modules are operational.

More than 600 volunteers and operators of the Italian Red Cross are working in the areas hit by the earthquake.

There are 5 soup kitchens run by the Italian Red Cross, providing a total of 22.000 meals a day. The first, in L’Aquila provides 7000 meals a day working with 20 ItRC humanitarian operators and another 50 ItRC volunteers. The second, in San Gregorio provides 3000 meals a day, the third in Collemaggio, 2000 meals a day and the forth in Centicolella, 6000 meals a day. The fifth soup kitchen (4000 meals) in the area of Fintec, providing meals for the Red Cross staff.

More than 30 ambulances are operational. 12.000 blankets have been distributed.
200 tents with a 1000 bed capacity offered by the Swiss Red Cross have been set up.

For information:

Communications Department Italian Red Cross:
+39.06.47.59.209
+39.06.47.59.283

Spokesperson for Francesco Rocca, head of the Italian Red Cross:
Tommaso Della Longa
+39.320.79.79.485