The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) 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 148,035 was allocated from the IFRC’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) on 14 February, 2012 to support the national society in delivering assistance to some 7,500 beneficiaries, and to replenish disaster preparedness stocks.

A cold spell hit Morocco on February 2012 for several days and persisted until the end of the month with exceptional low records reaching as low as Minus 7 degrees Celsius in some areas.

The Moroccan Red Crescent Disaster Management department activated its disaster response teams and an assessment was conducted in the affected areas in order to respond accordingly.
The MRC provided, in coordination with the Moroccan authorities, the affected people with the needed relief items, and assisted them in preserving their health during this cold wave.

The major donors and partners of DREF include the Australian, American and Belgian governments, the Austrian Red Cross, the Canadian Red Cross and government, Danish Red Cross and 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 government, the Netherlands Red Cross and government, the Norwegian Red Cross and government, the Spanish Government, the Swedish Red Cross and 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 national society, would like to extend thanks to all for their generous contributions.”