Free Republic

The Red Cross has uncovered several cases of fraud by officials during efforts to combat the Ebola outbreak that struck West Africa in 2014-2016, estimating losses of $6 million (€5.2 million). In a statement, the Geneva-based International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said it was “outraged”, and said it would “ensure any staff involved are held to account.” The Ebola virus killed more than 11,300 people and infected an estimated 29,000, mainly in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. The IFRC said the operations set up to contain the outbreak “were among the most complex in recent...

GENEVA - Many of the methods being used by international aid workers may do more to hurt than to help the lives of disaster victims, the international Red Cross said Thursday in its annual report. Aid agencies and governments spend too little time listening to people on the front line and too much time fueling the "disaster victim cliche," which portrays affected communities as helpless, Red Cross expert Eva von Oelreich said. Helping people to help themselves before, during and after disaster strikes is the key to cutting the impact of catastrophes, said the International Federation of Red Cross and...

The Magen David Adom (MDA), the Red Star of David, was born 52 years ago. It is the Red Cross, except with a Jewish symbol. Its purpose is to protect life and health and to alleviate human suffering. It serves, without discrimination, the entire Israeli population, including 1.1-million Israeli Arabs, and Palestinian Arabs in need. MDA is not a government agency. It sought membership in the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) with the Red Star of David as its emblem. The Star of David is the symbol of the Jewish people as well as of Israel. Surrender of its...