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Ecuador

Ecuador: Floods DREF operation n° MDREC003 Final Report 2008

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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 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

Summary: CHF 115,000 (USD 95,820 or EUR 74,280) was allocated from the Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the National Society in delivering immediate assistance to approximately 15,220 beneficiaries (3,044 families). Unearmarked funds to repay the DREF are encouraged.

In January 2008, continuous rainfall during Ecuador's rainy season caused rivers to overflow, producing devastating floods and landslides across the country.
There were 315,000 people affected by these floods, which destroyed and damaged crops, homes and essential infrastructure.

From the onset of the emergency, the Ecuadorian Red Cross (ERC) carried out initial response activities such as search and rescue, evacuations and first aid as well as relief distributions. The initial plan of action was revised to
cover the needs of 6,000 families instead of 3,044 families in relief distributions (food and non-food
items).