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 and Red Crescent emergency response. 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 253,527 (USD 235,418 or EUR 202,822) has been allocated from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies' (IFRC) Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) in delivering immediate assistance to some 100,000 beneficiaries. Unearmarked funds to repay DREF are encouraged.
Summary:
A severe cold wave with dense fog has been sweeping through all over Bangladesh since 7 January 2011.
According to the Meteorological Department, the temperature is recorded as being 2 to 5 degrees Celsius less than the normal average temperature during this time of the year. The cold wave claimed more than 30 lives most of who are children and elderly. Hospitals in the affected districts have reported higher numbers of admissions with cold weather related illness.
The cold wave has added misery to people living under poverty line and who are exposed to recurring floods in the northern districts of Bangladesh. Women, children and the elderly are major victims of cold related disease like respiratory illnesses.
Their plight increases especially during the night due to non-availability of warm clothes. The current temperature of 4 to 6 degrees Celsius is considered to be very low for Bangladeshi standards.
The government has so far distributed 25,500 blankets in Rangpur division and the Ministry of Food and Disaster Management is expected to allocate more warm clothes soon. And the government distributed 60,500 blankets all over the country among the distressed population. However, the government assistance is inadequate to cover a large number of affected population. In addition to the government distribution, several humanitarian organizations including university students, business community, local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have responded to the cold wave with warm clothes collections in rural and urban poor. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) have undertaken a rapid assessment of the cold wave areas and the national society has already distributed sleeping bags to the urban poor of Dhaka city.
Supported byIFRC, BDRCS will assist up to 20,000 severely affected families or 100,000 people with the distribution of a package of warm clothes, Support per family will comprise of a one time distribution of two blankets, one shawl and one woollen cap.
This operation is expected to be implemented over three months, and will therefore be completed by 15 April 2011; and a Final Report will be made available three months after the end of the operation (by 15 July 2011).