This Revised Emergency Appeal n° 2 seeks 9,495,715 Swiss francs, (increased from 2,775,269 Swiss francs) to support the Italian Red Cross to respond to the needs of 160,000 people (increased from 105,000) with an extended timeframe up to 31 July 2017. This operation focuses on the provision of basic food and non-food items; basic health care including First Aid and Psychosocial Support; hygiene promotion; Restoring Family Links (RFL) services, facilitating two-way communication with communities as well as strengthening the response capacities of the National Society.
Given the increasing number of people drowning while attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea, the Italian Red Cross, with the support of the IFRC and Partner National Societies, will engage in search and rescue operations. In cooperation with the Migrant Offshore Aid Station Foundation (MOAS)1 , the Italian Red Cross volunteers and staff will provide post-rescue activities including basic health care assistance and relief distribution on board of two vessels, the “Phoenix” and the “Responder”, and will contribute to the operational costs of the vessels.
In addition to this new element, the Italian Red Cross is extending the model of Safe Points throughout the entire territory of Italy. Through this approach, the Italian Red Cross provides support to migrants who do not have proper access to the reception network and who have difficulties in accessing the local services. Through this appeal the Italian Red Cross will expand the number of Safe Points from two to 10.
The revised plan reflects an increased budget, a higher number of targeted beneficiaries, an extended timeframe and an adjustment of the planned activities based on the recent developments of the situation.