This report covers the period 01/01/08 to 31/12/08

In brief

Programme purpose: Support the ten National Societies in the South American Region to effectively operationalize the Inter American Plan 2007 - 2011.

Programme summary:

2008 was a transition year for the Federation Secretariat in South America. After the establishment of the Zone office, the Regional Representation for South America reduced its personnel to 16, revised budgets and plans in line with adjusted capacities and support, and implemented the decision to create a second Regional Representation

CHILE: FLOOD RECOVERY

In September, 2008, heavy rains and floods damaged hundreds of homes and farming communities, affecting 300 families in Mapuches, southern Chile. Homes and vegetable gardens were completely destroyed along with several small animal farms.

UMCOR responded with an emergency grant to help Obra Rural Methodist Church provide relief to the affected families. The families received food, clothes, medicine and seeds as well as love and support from church staff. The local community school in Mapuches served as a shelter to house the families and their children.

Executive summary

The five countries of the Southern Cone - Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay - are highly exposed to a combination of factors such as floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, droughts, health emergencies, densely populated urban areas, political instability and internal disturbances that exacerbate the vulnerabilities of large poor and marginalized populations. This situation, combined by high levels of inequity and lack of access to basic services, makes communities more vulnerable and sets a major humanitarian challenge, which is addressed

Glide No. FL-2008-000155-CHL

The International Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) is a source of un-earmarked money created by the Federation in 1985 to ensure that immediate financial support is available for Red Cross and Red Crescent response to emergencies. The DREF is a vital part of the International Federation's disaster response system and increases the ability of national societies to respond to disasters.

Period covered by this update: 9 September to 18 September, 2008.

Summary: CHF 50,000 (USD 45,455

Silver Spring, Maryland--Record-setting rains caused widespread flooding in the Araucania region, 400 miles (700 km) south of Santiago in early September, killing at least eight people, damaging 10,000 homes, inundating 200,000 hectares of fertile farmlands, and affecting 23,000 residents. In response, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) will distribute emergency kits stocked with food, bedding, and charcoal to approximately 2,000 people.

"The effects of this disaster are incredible," said Milton Alaña, country director for ADRA Chile. "The

Glide No. FL-2008-000155-CHL

The International Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) is a source of un-earmarked money created by the Federation in 1985 to ensure that immediate financial support is available for Red Cross and Red Crescent response to emergencies. The DREF is a vital part of the International Federation's disaster response system and increases the ability of national societies to respond to disasters.

CHF 50,000 (USD 45,455 or EUR 30,960) has been allocated from the Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund

La Mandataria señaló que los daños ocasionados por el =FAltimo temporal en el sur del país constituyen "una emergencia de tremendas dimensiones, que a=FAn no logramos visualizar completamente", por lo que dispuso la presencia en terreno de la ministra de Agricultura y algunos subsecretarios, para tomar medidas en materia agrícola y de vivienda. "La primera tarea es salvar la vida de las personas y lo segundo es diseñar las acciones de corto, mediano y largo plazo que permitan ir en apoyo de los 23 mil damnificados", explicó.

En la inauguración del Seminario "Chile

SANTIAGO, Sept 4, 2008 (AFP) - Emergency crews used helicopters Thursday to rescue some of the nearly 100,000 people hit by the worst rains in three decades in southern Chile, where at least four people have died, officials said.

A storm has dumped torrential rain on the Araucania region 700 kilometers (435 miles) south of Santiago since Saturday, damaging at least 10,000 homes as waters flooded rivers and canals, blocked roadways and inundated 200,000 hectares (494,000 acres) of farmland.

The towns of Carahue, Nueva Imperial,