The Federation's mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity. It is the world's largest humanitarian organization and its millions of volunteers are active in over 185 countries.
In Brief
Appeal No. MDRBI001; Operations Update no. 2; Period covered: 8 May 2006 to 28 February 2007; Appeal coverage: 50%
Appeal history:
- Emergency Appeal was launched on 24 March 2006 for CHF 1,580,238 (USD 1,196,244 or EUR 1,009,737) in cash, kind, or services for 12 months to assist 22,000 beneficiaries and other vulnerable groups through targeted shelter, food, seed, health as well as water and sanitation interventions.
- Operations update no. 1 was posted on 29 May 2006.
- This Operations Update seeks to extend the timeframe of the operation by six months (until 25 September 2007) to enable the completion of planned activities.
- Disaster Relief Emergency Funds (DREF) allocated: CHF 90,525.
Outstanding needs: CHF 796,624 (USD 658,367 or EUR 485,746).
Related Emergency or Annual Appeals:
- East Africa sub-regional programmes; Appeal 2006-2007 (Appeal no MAA64003).
- East Africa Regional Drought Response (DREF Bulletin no. MDR64001).
Operational Summary: The Burundi Red Cross has been managing two transit sites for the returnees; one in the north east (Muyinga) and the other one in the east (Cankuzo). Through this operation, the National Society has had an excellent opportunity to reinforce its image with the Burundian Government, donors and the targeted population, and strengthen its potential in disaster management in order to respond quickly and adequately to emergencies.
Though the returnee operation was initially scheduled to be implemented over 12 months, in the course of the operation, the National Society was compelled to temporarily divert its resources to respond to other unfolding humanitarian crises in the country. They include heavy rains in Cibitoke and Ruyigi provinces (at the end of 2006) - that left about 600 households homeless - and floods (in January 2007) that caused further destruction to houses in lowland regions of Bujumbura Rural and Bujumbura Mairie provinces. Furthermore, the repatriation process was slowed down by the 2006 drought and the resulting famine situation. A combination of these factors led to the postponement of some planned activities under the returnees operation. As a result, the National Society was unable to complete its activities as scheduled. The National Society is now seeking to extend the returnees operation by six months (until 25 September 2007) to enable it to carry out activities which were not completed.
This operation is aligned with the International Federation's Global Agenda, which sets out four broad goals to meet the Federation's mission to "improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity".
Global Agenda Goals:
- Reduce the numbers of deaths, injuries and impact from disasters.
- Reduce the number of deaths, illnesses and impact from diseases and public health emergencies.
- Increase local community, civil society and Red Cross Red Crescent capacity to address the most urgent situations of vulnerability.
- Reduce intolerance, discrimination and social exclusion and promote respect for diversity and human dignity.
For further information specifically related to this operation please contact:
In Burundi: Katiyunguruza Anselme, Secretary General, Burundi Red Cross, Bujumbura; email: croixrougeburundi2000@yahoo.fr; telephone +257.21.8871; fax +257.21.11.01
In Kenya: Esther Okwanga, Federation Head of East Africa Sub-Regional Office; email: esther.okwanga@ifrc.org; telephone +254.20.283.50.00; fax +254.20.271.27.77
In Kenya: Per Jensnäs, Federation Head of Eastern Africa Regional Delegation, Nairobi; email: per.jensnaes@ifrc.org; telephone +254.20.283.51.24; fax +254.20.271.84.15
In Kenya: Youcef Ait-Chellouche, Acting Disaster Management Coordinator, Eastern Africa Regional Delegation, Nairobi; email: youcef.aitchellouche@ifrc.org; telephone +254.20.283.52.11; fax +254.20.271.27.77
In Geneva: Amna Al Ahmar, Federation Regional Officer for East Africa, Africa Department; email: amna.alahmar@ifrc.org; telephone +41.22.730.4427 ; fax +41.22.733.03.95
All International Federation assistance seeks to adhere to the Code of Conduct and is committed to the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response in delivering assistance to the most vulnerable. For support to or for further information concerning Federation programmes or operations in this or other countries, or for a full description of the National Society profile, please access the Federation's website at http://www.ifrc.org