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Papua New Guinea: Cholera, dysentery and influenza outbreaks DREF Operation No. MDRPG004 Update no. 4

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The International Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) is a source of un-earmarked money created by the International 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:

Update till the 28 February 2010.

Summary:

The Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) allocated CHF 359,058 to the Papua New Guinea Red Cross Society to reach 300,000 people in 13 out of 20 provinces.

Initially, CHF 43,878 (USD 41,339 or EUR 28,923) was allocated from DREF to support Papua New Guinea Red Cross Society (PNGRCS) in delivering immediate assistance to some 5,000 beneficiaries on 7 September 2009 in response to the outbreak.

PNGRCS will continue to meet the needs of the people affected by extending the existing DREF and implementing a strategy that includes hygiene information dissemination and community awareness to minimize or contain the spread of cholera, dysentery and influenza over a three-month timeframe. Recent developments include increasing the scope and the budget for this operation, which will now directly reach approximately 300,000 people, and indirectly reach 2.4 million people. The budget for the operation has been significantly increased and is now approximately CHF 359,058 (USD 348,498 or EUR 237,112).

Initially the operation was expected to be implemented in three months. However the PNGRCS has also been supporting a large number of provinces experiencing flooding over the previous two months. The impact of managing duplicate operations during this period has resulted in a reduced implementation rate for the Cholera, dysentery and influenza operation. (Please see the following map indicative of cases and deaths in the affected areas). In addition new cholera cases have also disrupted operational plans where resources have been reallocated to focus on the immediate lifesaving needs. As a result the operation will be extended until the end of May 2010.

In line with IFRC reporting standards, the narrative and financial final reports will be posted 90 days after the end of the operation (by August 2010).