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Italy

Italy: Earthquake DREF Operation No. MDRIT001 Final Report

Attachments

GLIDE EQ-2009-000072-ITA

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 700,000 (USD 613,944 or EUR 460,808) has been allocated from the International Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the Italian Red Cross in delivering immediate assistance to 15,000 beneficiaries and to replenish emergency stocks.

A severe earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale hit central Italy on 6 April 2009. More than 300 people lost their lives, around 2,000 were injured and 70,000 made homeless. Several strong aftershocks hit the region in the following week. The Italian Red Cross supported the affected population with food and non-food items as well as psychological support to overcome the most urgent needs.

This first phase of the operation was implemented over a period of three months and was completed by 7 July. The second phase was completed by the end of October. By mid-April 22,000 people had received life-saving treatments. By mid-October- six months after the earthquake- the Italian Red Cross was still running nine tent camps, rehousing the inhabitants that did not have transitional shelter and carrying out health and social activities described in the plan of action.

At the end of October 2010 (18 months after the disaster), the Italian Red Cross plan of action regarding relief and reconstruction in l'Aquila will be concluded. Social health assistance activities will be carried out in the field until full recovery and return to normality are insured.

The Irish Red Cross contributed 7,000 Euros to the DREF in replenishment of the allocation made for this operation. The major donors to the DREF are the Irish, Italian, Netherlands and Norwegian governments and ECHO. Details of all donors can be found on:

http://www.ifrc.org/what/disasters/responding/drs/tools/dref/donors.asp