Disaster Relief Emergency Fund Appeal No. 01.72/2001 Programme Update No. 2

This Programme Update is intended for reporting on Annual Appeals.
Period covered: April - June, 2001.

Appeal Target CHF 10,000,000

DREF allocations during this period:

WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA - MENINGITIS

A serious outbreak of meningeococcus meningitis erupted in the sub-Saharan meningitis belt. More than 38,000 cases were reported, including 3,500 deaths. The magnitude of the outbreak caused a serious shortage of vaccine world-wide and the International Co-ordination Group (ICG) Executive subcommittee (WHO, UNICEF, MSF and the Federation), made all possible efforts to make the best use of available supplies. CHF 200,000 was allocated from the Federation’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to start the planned activities.

Allocated: CHF 200,000

Date: 24 April, 2001

Status: Ongoing

Report: Emergency Appeal 14/2001 launched 25 April, 2001; Operations Update issued 30 May, 2001.

UKRAINE - MINE EXPLOSION

A mine explosion on 5 may near the town of Makyivka in Southern Ukraine killed 10 miners and severely wounded 35 people. Ukraine Red Cross local branch responded rapidly and effectively by distributing detoxifying drinks to those suffering methane poisoning. An assessment revealed the need for food and.hygiene parcels as well as bed linen and basic first aid items. CHF 15,000 was released from the DREF in order to start the delivery of assistance.

Allocated: CHF 15,000

Date: 8 May, 2001

Status: Ongoing

Report: Information Bulletin issued 7 May, 2001.

PERU - FLOODS

Since January 2001 continuous heavy rain fell in the south of Peru, causing floods in areas around lake Titicaca and banks of the rives Llave, Zapatilla, Ramis and Coata affecting 4,934 families. At least 40,000 hectares of crops were damaged and 7,000 hectares were destroyed. Additionally 6,942 houses were partially damaged and 694 were totally destroyed. CHF 84,000 was released from DREF in order to start the delivery of relief items to the affected population.

Allocated: CHF 84,000

Date: 9 May, 2001

Status: Ongoing

Report: Information Bulletin issued 15 May, 2001.

BANGLADESH - CYCLONE

Severe tropical storms and tornadoes lashed Bangladesh, resulting in 43 deaths, 150 missing, and thousands of people injured. Huts, schools, standing crops, fruits and timber trees were also extensively damaged. The most affected districts were: Mymenshing, Netrokona, Tanbgail, Naogaon, Moulovi Bazar, Chuadanga, Jhinaidah, Gaibandha, Patuakhali, Meherpur Gopalgonj and Naokhali. Immediate emergency needs were for foods, clothing, health and hygiene items. 200 families from affected districts received a family kit consisting of 20 kg or rice, 1 saree, 1 lunghi, 1 bar of soap and 2 candles. CHF 39,000 was allocated from the Federation’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund to immediately begin providing emergency assistance.

Allocated: CHF 39,000

Date: 14 May, 2001

Status: Operation Closed

Report: Information Bulletins issued 15 May and 8 June, 2001.

KAZAKHSTAN - FLOODS

Excessive snow melt and rains in eastern Kazakhstan resulted in heavy flooding of the Kurchum, Buhktarma, Uba and Ulba rivers, affecting 6 rayons and Ust-Kamenogorsk city the capital of eastern Kazakhstan. On the night of 13 May, some 904 houses were flooded, affecting some 3,668 people, including some 1,163 people displaced. Water destroyed 3 dams, 5 bridges, power lines, roads and other infrastructure. Forecasts for high temperatures and intensive precipitation indicate that the situation may deteriorate further. The National Society has commenced a rapid disaster response operation and need assessment, which will be followed by an Emergency Appeal. CHF 50,000 has been allocated from the Disaster Relief Emergency Funds to cover the immediate needs of the displaced population such as food, medicines, mattresses, hygiene kits and other supplies.

Allocated: CHF 50,000

Date: 24 May, 2001

Status: Ongoing

Report: Information Bulletin issued 7 May, 2001; Emergency Appeal launched 7 June 2001; Operations Update issued 18 July, 2001.

EASTERN SIBERIA - FLOODS

A spring thaw followed a particular harsh winter, causing the river Lena to overflow its banks, resulting in serious flooding of towns and settlements along the course of the river. Since 13 May almost 46,000 people have been evacuated to temporary shelters and centres on higher grounds. The Russian Red Cross has responded by releasing supplies from its emergency stock. CHF 50,000 was allocated from the Federation’s DREF to enable local branches in Irkutsh and Yakutia to support the most vulnerable with pre-cooked food, blankets and hygiene items.

Allocated: CHF 50,000

Date: 18 May, 2001

Status: Ongoing

Report: Information Bulletin issued 21, 23, 25 May; Emergency Appeal 16/2001launched 28 May; Operations Update issued 4 July, 2001.

NIGER - DROUGHT

A food assessment in Niger revealed serious malnutrition among children in three regions. The main cause of malnutrition is the lack of access to food resulting from the sharp rise in the market price of millet staple caused mainly by the reduction in yield due to insufficient rainfall. A food security country plan is currently being elaborated to establish appropriate longer term project to ensure food availability to vulnerable groups. CHF 40,000 was released from the Disaster Relief Emergency Funds to support distribution costs of 321 metric tons of millet.

Allocated: CHF 40,000

Date: 19 May, 2001

Status: Ongoing

Report: Information Bulletin issued 20 May 2001 .

MYANMAR - FLOODS

Torrential rains caused the Mongdaing Reservoir to burst its banks leading to severe flooding in the townships of Meiktila and Wundwin. Official sources indicated that 51 dead bodies had been found, but at least 400 people remained missing. Furthermore, 700 houses were completely destroyed with severe damage to latrines, wells and other infrastructure (schools, power lines, etc.). CHF 56,180 was allocated from the Federation’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund to support Myanmar Red Cross rescue and relief activities to the estimated 4,000 homeless and vulnerable people.

Allocated: CHF 56,180

Date: 16 June, 2001

Status: Ongoing

Report: Information Bulletin issued 13 June, 2001.

BOSNIA - FLOODS

Following four days of heavy rains throughout BiH, the northern region were badly affected by floods, resulting in damaged roads, bridges, houses and devastating crops. The hardest hit canton and regions are Tuzla, Zenica-Doboj Krajina Region. A state of emergency has been proclaimed by the local authorities throughout the region. Mud slides and floods are threatening the lives and livelihood of an estimated 80,000 people in the affected areas. CHF 75,000 was released from DREF to support the FACT deployment and to begin the relief operation.

Allocated: CHF 75,000

Date: 22 June, 2001

Status: Ongoing

Report: Emergency and Revised Appeal no. 19/2001 launched respectively on 26 and 29 June, 2001.

PERU - EARTHQUAKE

A strong earthquake of 7.9 on the Richter scale struck Peru. According to Red Cross evaluation teams, reports indicated that as many as 15,000 to 20,000 families (at least 60,000 people) could be homeless in Moquegua and its region alone. 72 people were killed, 938 injured, and there were still 52 missing. CHF 200,000 was released from the DREF to start up the relief assistance, followed by an Emergency Appeal for over CHF 2,000,000 CHF which includes shelter and food, health, water and sanitation as well as the ongoing rescue and first aid.

Allocated: CHF 200,000

Date: 25 June, 2001

Status: Ongoing

Report: Emergency and Revised Appeal 18/2001 launched respectively 25 June and 24 July; Operations Updates 1, 2, and 3, issued 28 June, 2 and 9 July, 2001.

CAMEROON - FLOODS

Heavy rain fall reported on 26-27 June triggered landslides in several areas of the coastal town of Limbe in south western Cameroon. Hardest hit areas of Limbe included Mabetta Newlayout, Mile two, Towe and Mbenbe. According to initial reports, over 30 people were declared dead or missing in Cameroon alone. Destructive floods are also causing havoc in the landslide-stricken regions, leaving over 1,500 people homeless. CHF 20,000 was released from the DREF to address the most urgent needs of approximately 1,000 victims

Allocated: CHF 20,000

Date: 29 June, 2001

Status: Ongoing

Report: Information Bulletin issued 29 June, 2001.

Outstanding needs and Contributions

The attached table provides a detailed account of the DREF. The funds currently available in DREF have reached a critically low level. To ensure future support to new emergencies further funding is urgently required.

For more information please contact the Operations Funding and Reporting Department (OFR) at the International Federation’s Secretariat in Geneva. Tel: ++4122 7304222.

Jean Ayoub
Director
Disaster Management and Co-ordination

Peter Rees-Gildea
Head a.i.
Relationship Management Department

This and other reports on Federation operations are available on the Federation’s website: http://www.ifrc.org