Monday, 9 June 2008

Numbers to Know

Police: 112

Information: 100, 120

Airport: 01628120

Beirut port: 01-580211

Tourist police: 01-343209

Red Cross: 140

Civil defense: 125

Fire department: 175

General security: 1717

Boulos Meamari and Haitham Suleiman, the martyrs of Lebanese red cross in july 2006














Tuesday, 3 June 2008

Simple Steps to Safety

•Post emergency telephone numbers by phones (fire, police, ambulance, etc.). Keep a list of key telephone numbers and addresses near the phone. If there has been a major disaster, use the phone only if it is absolutely necessary. Emergency crews will need all available lines

•Teach children how and when to call 140 or your local emergency medical services number for emergency help.

•Teach children how to make emergency phone calls to reach out of town family contacts.

•Instruct household members to turn on the radio for emergency information.

•If you live in a house, show each family member how and when to turn off the supply of water, gas, and electricity at the main switches. Make big easy-to-see signs identifying breaker panel, gas and main water supply and post the signs at those locations.

•If you live in an apartment building, show everyone in your family the location of the emergency exits. Install a fire alarm and a fire extinguisher. Explain when and how to use it. In a fire or other emergency, do not use the elevators. You will be trapped in the elevator if the power goes out. Determine a building emergency plan, what to do if an alarm sounds and how to safely evacuate the building.

•Check if you have adequate insurance coverage.

•Get training from the Red Cross, Civil Defense, and other emergency service providers. Train each family member on using the fire extinguisher and show them where it is kept.

•If you can install smoke detectors on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms.

Wednesday, 28 May 2008

Mission statememt

The goal of the Lebanese Red Cross is to disseminate peace, serve the society, and alleviate human suffering with neutrality and without any racial, sexual, social, religious or political distinction.

The Lebanese Red Cross carries out the following in accordance of it's mission statement:

* The Lebanese Red Cross acts as an auxiliary to the medical services of the Lebanese Army during armed conflicts, in all fields mentioned in the Geneva Conventions, and provide help for all the victims of war whether military or civilians. LRC is also involved in making necessary emergency preparations and acts as an auxiliary to the public health services in all the fields mentioned in the Geneva conventions during peace.


* Participates in efforts aiming at improving health, preventing disease and alleviating the suffering of all people through rehabilitation and solidarity programs that meet the needs on both national and local (community) levels.


* Organizes urgent (emergency) relief services for the victims of all kinds of disasters.


* Recruits volunteers and trains them to accomplish different tasks appointed to the Lebanese Red Cross.


* Encourages the participation of children and youth in the Lebanese Red Cross activities.


* Disseminates the Fundamental Principals of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and the International Humanitarian Law in order to spread the spirit of peace, understanding and respect among the people, especially the youth and children.

Become a volunteer

Voluntary service is the corner stone of the Lebanese Red Cross work. The Society relies, in its work and activities, on the efforts of its volunteers (men and women) of different ages, each according to his or her specialization, skills and knowledge, in order to fulfill local, national and international needs. Voluntary service is a fundamental principle and one characteristic of the interactive National Society.

Voluntary service in Lebanese Red Cross:
The organizational structure of the Lebanese Red Cross is flexible as to its capacity to receive volunteers wishing to support the services, work and activities of the Society. These volunteers get trained on essential skills so that they can perform their voluntary work on local, national or international levels.

Volunteers’ recruitment:
All Lebanese are welcome to volunteer all year long. Volunteers applying to work in the Local Organization (Local Committees) must be accepted by the Executive Committee. Recruitment of volunteers is done through announcements in centers, clubs, universities and high schools periodically for certain programs.

Fields of voluntary service:

Any volunteer can help and work in many fields such as:

* Local committees
* First aid services
* Youth clubs & activities
* Teaching
* Medical and Social Services
* Blood banks
* Dissemination of IHL
* Mine awareness

Tuesday, 27 May 2008

140 fast call fast action

Call 140

140 FREE EMERGENCY LINE FROM ANY FIXED OR CELL PHONE...

While reacting to motor accidents, first aiders have noticed that most casualties have a mobile phone. In such situations, the first aiders do not know who to contact from the phonebook.

Therefore, an idea has been launched to store emergency contact under the same pseudonym.
The proposed “pseudonym” is ICE, internationally known as “In Case of Emergency”. This contact should contain the number of the person to be contacted in case of an emergency.

If more than one person should be contacted, ICE1, ICE2, ICE3, etc… contacts can also be used. This is very easy to do, does not cost a thing and can bring so much.

The seven Fundamental Principles

Proclaimed in Vienna in 1965, the seven Fundamental Principles bond together the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, The International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. They guarantee the continuity of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement and its humanitarian work.

Humanity
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, born of a desire to bring assistance without discrimination to the wounded on the battlefield, endeavours, in its international and national capacity, to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found. Its purpose is to protect life and health and to ensure respect for the human being. It promotes mutual understanding, friendship, cooperation and lasting peace amongst all peoples.

Impartiality
It makes no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions. It endeavours to relieve the suffering of individuals, being guided solely by their needs, and to give priority to the most urgent cases of distress.

Neutrality
In order to continue to enjoy the confidence of all, the Movement may not take sides in hostilities or engage at any time in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature.

Independence
The Movement is independent. The National Societies, while auxiliaries in the humanitarian services of their governments and subject to the laws of their respective countries, must always maintain their autonomy so that they may be able at all times to act in accordance with the principles of the Movement.

Voluntary service
It is a voluntary relief movement not prompted in any manner by desire for gain.

Unity
There can be only one Red Cross or one Red Crescent Society in any one country. It must be open to all. It must carry on its humanitarian work throughout its territory.

Universality
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, in which all Societies have equal status and share equal responsibilities and duties in helping each other, is worldwide.