Cameroon: Floods - Emergency appeal n° MDRCM014, Operations Update No. 1
Attachments
Download document Period covered by this Ops Update: 6 September to 31 October, 2012.
Appeal target (current): CHF 1,637,316.
Appeal coverage: 18%; not including DREF allocation and yet-to-be-confirmed pledges.
Appeal history:
• This Emergency Appeal was initially launched on 28 September, 2012 for CHF 1,637,314 for 12 months to assist about 25,000 beneficiaries.
• Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF): CHF 299,707 was initially allocated from the Federation’s DREF to support the national society to respond.
Summary: Beginning the second half of August 2012, widespread heavy rain in Cameroon caused severe flooding, especially in North, and Far North regions. IFRC helped the Cameroon Red Cross to obtain DREF funds in order to assist the affected populations in the North and Far North Regions. Considering the magnitude of the situation, this DREF was transformed into an emergency appeal.
Funds raised through this emergency appeal, in addition to those of the DREF, have so far enabled the Cameroon Red Cross to build 170 emergency shelters for internally displaced persons (IDPs), build 26 emergency latrines, distribute non-food items to 921 families, treat 198 wells and provide first aid to flood victims in the two regions. This intervention has helped to prevent waterborne and water-related diseases.
In addition, Cameroon Red Cross volunteers have carried out mass awareness-raising and hygiene promotion campaigns, reaching 2,463 people (1,654 in the North, and 809 in the Far North Region). Others include net hanging support to 120 households and preparation and distribution of 30 first aid kits.
Since the launch of the emergency appeal, the situation has worsened, with the occurrence of more flooding in Kousseri (a divisional headquarter in the Far North Region) affecting more than 1,200 people. Red Cross is preparing to extend its assistance to these newly affected people, among whom are many pupils forced out of their classrooms by the floodwaters at the beginning of the school year. To date, the coverage rate of the appeal stands at 18%. Donors are strongly urged to support this appeal as additional resources are needed to cover the ever-growing needs in the field. Cameroon Red Cross and IFRC will soon reassess the situation before considering a budget revision.