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Disaster Relief Emergency Fund Appeal No. 01.72/2001 Programme Update No. 1


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

Appeal Target CHF 10,000,000

"At a Glance"


Appeal coverage: 49.8%

Related Appeals: N/A

Outstanding needs: CHF 6,656,518

Summary: The Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) is a key emergency response tool for the Federation, allowing funds to be released immediately after a disaster and facilitating the rapid start up of an emergency operation. DREF resources are made available in response to an appeal, in the process leading to an appeal, or in response to a small scale emergency where an appeal is not feasible. Because allocations are provided on a refundable basis, the DREF is a revolving fund, and contributions are used as leverage so that one donation provides aid well in excess of the actual amount contributed.

DREF allocations during this period:

CHINA - INNER MONGOLIA BLIZZARDS

On 31 December 2000, a blizzard hit a number of rural prefectures in the Chinese Autonomous Region of Inner Mongolia causing the death of 39 people and of over 220,000 head of livestock, the mainstay of the rural economy and the main source of food for herders and their families. The number of people affected as a direct result of the blizzard was estimated at 2.194 million, of whom it is reported that as many as 400,000 were affected by food shortages in the immediate term. In order to respond to the needs, CHF 100,000 was released from the DREF in order to begin the delivery of assistance. An appeal of CHF 3,056,180 was launched on 25 January to provide urgently needed food, quilts and fuel supplies to help 60,000 of the most vulnerable herders survive the harshest winter for 50 years.

Allocated: CHF 100,000

Date: 10 January, 2001

Status: Ongoing

Report: Appeal launched 25 January 2001
Situation Reports nos. 1, 2 & 3 respectively issued 27 February, 9 March and 11 April

INDIA - EARTHQUAKE

At 08.50 hours on Friday, 26 January, a series of powerful earthquakes struck Gujarat state in western India, peaking at a massive 7.9 on the Richter scale, with tremors being felt across several states as well as in Delhi and Mumbai (Bombay) and in neighbouring Pakistan. The epicentre of the quake was 30 km north of the town of Bhuj (population of 150,000). Infrastructure was severely damaged, resulting in large scale collapse of buildings, mine cave-ins, train derailments and power failures, cutting off the water supply. A series of aftershocks (more than 400 of which 19 measured over 5 on the Richter scale) kept the population and the authorities on constant alert. The official figures estimated 20,005 deaths, 166,000 injured and 247 missing persons; 370,000 houses were fully demolished (including pucca and kachcha houses and huts). The Federation released CHF 200,000 from the DREF to begin the relief operations and support the deployment of a Field Assessment Response Team (FACT).

Allocated: CHF 200,000

Date: 26 January, 2001

Status: Ongoing

Report: Preliminary Appeal launched on 26 January, 2001.
Appeal no. 03/01 launched 30 January 2001.
20 Situation Reports have been issued from January to March.

BOLIVIA - FLOODS

Exceptionally heavy rains falling continually throughout Bolivia since December 2000 caused floods and landslides. The rainy season usually begins in mid-January and continues until March. The initial estimate indicated that 7,240 families had been affected throughout the country. The Bolivian Red Cross carried out damage and needs analysis assessments, assisted by the Federation’s regional disaster preparedness and relief delegate based in La Paz, and undertook a relief operation. CHF 150,000 was released from the Federation’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to boost relief efforts and expedite the delivery of assistance. The Bolivian Red Cross rescue workers were involved in evacuations and the setting up of temporary shelters, and branches in the affected areas assisted with delivering supplies, in co-operation with other involved institutions.

Allocated: CHF 150,000

Date: 26 January, 2001

Status: Ongoing

Report: Appeal no. 05/01 launched 1 February, 2001.
Situation report nos. 1, 2 and 3 respectively issued 8 and 14 February and 19 March

SUDAN - FOOD SECURITY

Severe drought across many parts of Sudan is affecting several million people, many of whom are at acute risk of severe food insecurity over the coming months. Low and sporadic rainfall severely affected agricultural production and depleted water resources. Stagnation in the livestock trade has reduced access to this traditional source of extra income, hence further eroding the coping capacities of the affected communities. A low immunization coverage and the usual health risks related to a scarcity of safe drinking water threatened to increase the incidence of mortality and morbidity through preventable diseases. Access to safe water, as well as emergency food and medical care were identified as the most critical interventions required. CHF 29,000 was released from the Federation’s DREF to support an evaluation mission in Darfur, Kordofan, Red Sea and Kassala states.

Allocated: CHF 29,000

Date: 30 January, 2001

Status: Ongoing

Report: Appeal no. 11/01 launched on 2 March, 2001.

GUINEA CONAKRY - REFUGEES

The beginning of 2001 was characterized by a series of escalating attacks on the town of Gueckédou and surrounding areas. It is estimated that one third of the city has been destroyed. Approximately 200,000 Sierra Leonean refugees are estimated to remain in Gueckédou prefecture with an estimated 150,000 in Languette. This area, part of the prefecture of Gueckédou, is virtually cut off from humanitarian aid for security reasons. Humanitarian agencies consider the only viable option is the eventual transfer of these refugees to safer areas. Fighting in the Gueckédou area has prompted refugees to flee the two camps of Kat-Kama and Boodou, leaving them completely deserted while other camps have seen a considerable influx, including Nyaédou (17 kilometers from Gueckédou) and Massakoundou (10 km from Kissidougou) where it is estimated that their population had doubled to 25,000 and 35,000 respectively. UNHCR and Government authorities identified sites for new camps to be built away from the border areas. CHF 150,000 was allocated and released from the Federation’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the immediate delivery of the required assistance and relief activities. A two-person Field Assessment and Co-ordination Team (FACT) was deployed to Guinea to provide support to the operation and to establish a revised plan of action.

Allocated: CHF 150,000

Date: 15 February, 2001

Status: Ongoing

Report: Annual Appeal no. 03/01.
Situation Report nos. 1, 2 & 3 respectively issued 16 February, 19 March, and 10 May.

KENYA - REFUGEES

On 29 January 2001, an unexpected influx of Tanzanian refugees started streaming into Shimoni and Msambweni Divisions of Kwale District, Coastal Province, Kenya from neighbouring Pemba and Zanzibar Island of Tanzania after political clashes triggered by contested results of a previous election. The refugees arrived in boats, many with injuries suffered during the riots. To date the Kenya Red Cross Society Mombassa branch has registered 1,400 refugees and provided relief assistance and tracing services to the refugees. 50,000 CHF was release from the Federation’s DREF to provide immediate shelter and health assistance to the refugees.

Allocated: CHF 50,000

Date: 23 February, 2001

Status: Ongoing

Report: No.

CAMEROON - MENINGITIS

Since January 2001, health authorities in the north-west province of Cameroon reported multiple cases of meningitis in two districts: Wum and Mbengwi. Epidemic thresholds were reached in both districts by the end of January. As of February , 270 cases were reported with 22 death. The Ministry of Health has set up a co-ordinating commission, the membership of which includes the Cameroon Red Cross Society. The Federation released CHF 20,500 from the DREF in order to support the Cameroon Red Cross in population mobilization activities in affected areas.

Allocated: CHF 20,500

Date: 27 February, 2001

Status: Ongoing

Report: Information Bulletin no. 1 issued 1 March 2001.

MALAWI - FLOODS

Floods occurred in the lower shire area of Malawi covering the region extending from Chikwawa to Nsanje, following the course of the Lilongwe river, flowing towards the Zambezi and the Mozambique coast. The districts of Nsanje, Chikwawa, Phalombe and Blantyre were the worst affected where 60,000 people from 117 villages were reported to have been made homeless and nine people had lost their lives. The Federation transferred CHF 100,000 from it’s DREF in order to ensure a prompt response to the needs and a field assessment and co-ordination (FACT) team was deployed. Additionally, the Malawi Red Cross Society supported by the Harare Regional Delegation sent three teams from the headquarters in Lilongwe to Nsanje, Chikwawa and Salima to provide relief items, to continue assessment of the situation and to mobilize volunteers.

Allocated: CHF 100,000

Date: 28 February, 2001

Status: Ongoing

Report: Preliminary Appeal 09/01 launched 28 February, 2001. Revised Appeal 09/01 issued on the 26 March 2001. Programme Update nos. 1 & 2 respectively issued 12 March and 5 May, 2001.

ETHIOPIA - MENINGITIS

Ethiopia lies in the African Meningitis Belt and has suffered major epidemics in 1981 when 50,000 cases were registered and nearly one thousand people died. In 1989, 46,000 cases were registered and 1,700 people died. Major epidemics usually occur every 8 to 12 years in the belt. Last year, there was a major outbreak in Addis Ababa between June and August with over 850 cases and 33 deaths. This was brought under control through a very successful mass vaccination campaign in which Red Cross played an important role. In October, cases were reported in West Gojam zone in the Amahara region and by December four more zones were affected and by February sixteen zones had reported cases. The Federation transferred CHF 200,000 from the DREF in order to assist in the procurement of a first batch of 200,000 vaccines and jump start the operation.

Allocated: CHF 200,000

Date: 1 March, 2001

Status: Ongoing

Report: Appeal no. 12/01 launched on 7 March, 2001. Situation Report no. 1 issued on 23 March 2001.

HUNGARY, UKRAINE AND ROMANIA - FLOODS

Rapidly melting snow and heavy rain caused the Tisa river and its tributaries to rise to record levels, provoking some of the worst flooding in Central Europe in decades. Wide areas of Hungary, Romania and Ukraine were affected, forcing whole communities from their homes and seriously impacting upon the future well being of the population. Red Cross National Societies in all three countries responded and sought to consolidate and strengthen their relief operation. CHF 150,000 was allocated from the Federation’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF), with CHF 50,000 for each country.

Allocated: CHF 50,000 - Hungary

Allocated: CHF 50,000 - Ukraine

Allocated: CHF 50,000 - Romania

Date: 9 March, 2001

Status: Ongoing

Report: Appeal 13/01 launched 9 March, 2001. Situation Report no. 1 & 2 respectively issued 2 April and 10 May, 2001.

PALESTINE - HEALTH

The Palestine Red Crescent Society is mandated by the Palestinian Authorities for Emergency Medical Services in the entire Palestine (Autonomous and Occupied Territories). The Palestinian Red Crescent is carrying out medical relief assistance through its PRCS Primary Health Care and Secondary Health Care programmes. Since the Intifada started, the PRCS has experienced considerable problems traveling around the country in order to provide health services to it’s population. CHF 170,000 was allocated from the Federation’s DREF to support the PRCS health programme.

Allocated: CHF 170,000

Date: 19 March, 2001

Status: Ongoing

Report: Appeal 15/01 launched on 3 May, 2001.

FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA - EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Given the prevailing uncertainty in Macedonia, the Federation has released CHF 15,000 to increase the capacity of Macedonia in providing relief assistance to the affected population. To date the Macedonian Red Cross Society has registered 11,000 internally displaced and with support from the International Red Cross Movement, the National Society is distributing food, hygiene and baby parcels, mattresses and blankets.

Allocated: CHF 15,000

Date: 20 March, 2001

Status: Ongoing

Report: No.

Outstanding needs and Contributions

The attached table provides a detailed account of the DREF. The Federation has embarked on an initiative to increase the use of and support to the DREF, and to ensure a reasonably effective approach to new emergencies further funding is urgently required.

For further details please contact: Andrée Houle, Phone : 41 22 730 4316; Fax: 41 22 733 03 95; email: houle@ifrc.org

All International Federation Operations seek to adhere to the Code of Conduct and are committed to the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response (SPHERE Project) in delivering assistance to the most vulnerable.

For further information concerning Federation operations in this or other countries, please access the Federation website at http://www.ifrc.org.

Jean Ayoub
Director
Disaster Management and Coordination Division

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

The Disaster Relief Emergency Fund
The Reserve Fund for Relief Operations of The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
DREF STATUS
CHF
Opening balance 2000
01/01/01
3,475,825
Income (contributions + refund)
1,196,107
Allocations granted
(1,496,450)
Outstanding pledges / Provisions
168,000
Net reserve available as at
31/03/2001
3,343,482
List of grants made in 2001
Location
Disaster type
EA N°
Date
Amount
Refund
China Inner Mongolia blizzards
AP03/2001
10.01.2001
100,000
El Salvador Earthquake
AP02/2001
14.01.2001
161,950
India Earthquake
AP04/2001
26.01.2001
200,000
Bolivia Floods
AP05/2001
26.01.2001
150,000
Sudan Food security
AP11/2001
30.01.2001
29,000
Guinea Conakry Refugee
AP01.03.2001
15.02.2001
150,000
Kenya Refugees
23.02.2001
50,000
Cameroon Meningitis
27.02.2001
20,500
Malawi Floods
AP09.2001
28.02.2001
100,000
Ethiopia Meningitis
AP12/2001
01.03.2001
200,000
Ukraine Floods
AP13/2001
09.03.2001
50,000
Romania Floods
AP13/2001
09.03.2001
50,000
Hungary Floods
AP13/2001
09.03.2001
50,000
Palestine Health
19/03/2001
170,000
FYR Macedonia Emergency preparedness
20/03/2001
15,000
Total as at
31/03/2001
1,496,450
List of Income - 2001
British RC
144,120
Britisg Govt - DFID
1,000,000
Canadian - RC
32,225
Luxemburg RC
50,000
Swedish RC
22,052
Swedish Govt via RC
198,472
Private Donors US
1,435
Sub-total
90.83%
1,448,304
Interest
0.00%
Refund 1997 / 1998 / 1999 / 2000
Sub total
9.17%
146,201
Total as at
100.00%
31/03/2001
1,594,505