The British Red Cross use of mobile phone technology has once again come to the forefront, as they help the people of Haiti prepare for the imminent, and unwelcome, visit of the tropical storm Emily. Over the next few days people will be bracing themselves for heavy rains, potential landslides and flooding.
The British Red Cross have responded by sending millions SMS messages across the country to inform the local people to prepare themselves for the impending storm, and offer some potentially life saving advice in how to stay safe.
British Red Cross recovery manager, Alastair Burnett, said –
People are still very vulnerable. Thousands of families are living in camps, in unsafe shelters or housing, and in areas prone to flooding or landslides. We’re working to make sure people are prepared and know how to keep themselves safe, both from the physical dangers of the storm and also the threat of cholera which floods can bring.
Volunteers have strengthened a ravine in Haiti to prevent soil erosion, whilst others are going door to door to spread safety information and what to do when the storm hits. The Red Cross has also been on the front line helping organise and improve 3,000 shelters alongside running first aid courses and ditch digging.
It’s only 18 months since the Haiti earthquake struck, lets hope that storm Emily is not as bad as expected and that the people their are fully prepared for the ensuing bad weather.
