CHF 129,185 was allocated from the IFRC’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) on 9th February 2012 to support the Red Cross of Albania in delivering immediate assistance to some 1,000 families (5,000 beneficiaries) and to replenish disaster preparedness stocks.

Summary:

Harsh winter with unusually abundant snowfall (1-1.5 meters of snow in rural areas with temperatures averaging minus 10 degrees Celsius) hit the northern and eastern parts of Albania. Several major highways and side roads were blocked by the snow. According to official sources, the total number of snow-trapped people in the communes of Puka, Shkodra, Kukes, Peshkopia, Librazhd, Korça districts amounted to 230,000 at its height. Five people lost their lives due to the extreme cold.

The initial objective of the operation was to support 1,000 affected families with humanitarian assistance but owing to the fact that the areas occupied by snow grew rapidly and so even more families were in need, the Albania Red Cross had to address the needs of the 2,150 most vulnerable families (11,000 people), mainly poor ones with sick and elderly members, who were completely isolated by the heavy snow and nearing the end of their food reserves. Their most urgent needs were food, hygienic kits and blankets. The Albanian Red Cross provided them with the needed relief items, and assisted them in preserving their health in the harsh weather conditions.

The Albanian National Society launched a national fundraising campaign and therefore managed to engage other donors such as the German Red Cross and the Vodafone Foundation who contributed to this relief operation. The Canadian Red Cross and the Canadian International Development Agency contributed with CHF 18,455 to the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund in replenishment of the allocation made for this operation.

This operation was implemented for two months: it started on 10th February 2012 and was completed on 9th April 2012.

The major donors and partners of DREF include the Australian, American and Belgian Governments, the Austrian Red Cross, the Canadian Red Cross and the Canadian Government, the Danish Red Cross and the Danish Government, the European Commission Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO), the Irish and the Italian Governments, the Japanese Red Cross Society, the Luxembourg Government, the Monaco Red Cross and the Monaco Government, the Netherlands Red Cross and the Netherlands Government, the Norwegian Red Cross and the Norwegian Government, the Spanish Government, the Swedish Red Cross and the Swedish Government, the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID), the Medtronic and Z Zurich Foundations, and other corporate and private donors.

The IFRC, on behalf of the Albanian Red Cross, would like to extend their thanks to all donors and partners for their generous contributions. Details of all donors can be found at http://www.ifrc.org/docs/appeals/Active/MAA00010_2012.pdf