ReliefWeb

CHF 193,944 has been allocated from the IFRC’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the Benin Red Cross National Society (BRCS) in delivering immediate assistance to some 7,000 beneficiaries for 3 months. Unearmarked funds to repay DREF are encouraged.

Summary: The recent heavy rains and flooding in large parts of West Africa has led to an overflow of the Niger River, which has resulted in flash floods in northern Benin mainly in the municipalities of Karimama and Malanville from 5th September 2013. To date, the floods have destroyed more than 3,000 houses and affected 13,000 hectares of farmland, leaving more than 10,000 people displaced and more than 30,000 affected.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) climate prediction centre forecast for 17-30 September 2013, the rains will continue in countries along the route of the Niger River. The Department of Civil Protection of Benin (DPC) maintains an orange alert level for the flood risk of the affected areas.

The local branches of the BRCS have mobilized volunteers for basic risk sensitization and early warning. During the period of 9 to 15 of September 2013, the BRCS carried out a rapid assessment to get an overview of specific affected communities and basic needs, allowing the BRCS to plan basic interventions to meet immediate needs. This DREF allocation supports the BRCS in implementing basic emergency shelter, non-food items, health, water, sanitation and hygiene promotion activities while carrying out a more detailed assessment to further target the interventions.

This operation is to be implemented over three months, and will therefore be completed by end of December 2013. A Final Report will be made available three months after the end of the operation, by end of March 2014.