The International Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) is a source of un-earmarked money created by the International Federation in 1985 to ensure that immediate financial support is available for Red Cross and Red Crescent response to emergencies. The DREF is a vital part of the International Federation's disaster response system and increases the ability of national societies to respond to disasters.
The period covered in this report: 3 August - 21 December 2009
CHF 50,000 (USD 44,929 or EUR 33,053) has been allocated from the International Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the Cook Islands Red Cross Society (CIRCS) in delivering immediate assistance to approximately 8,000 beneficiaries through direct services and information, education and communication materials. Un-earmarked funds to repay DREF are encouraged.
Summary:
The Cook Islands was experiencing a serious dengue outbreak, with up to 994 cases reported on the main island of Rarotonga as of 20 May 2009. That number had reached 1214 by 18 June 2009. A national plan was formulated by members of the national disaster management council and the Cook Islands Red Cross Society (CIRCS) presented the activities that will be implemented by their staff, volunteers and community partners.
The Cook Islands Red Cross Society, in coordination with government and non-government agencies incountry, responded to the threat with an increase in awareness-raising in identified communities as well as through the national society's current community-based health and first aid (CBHFA) programme. The International Federation released CHF 50,000 from the disaster relief emergency fund on the 28 May 2009 to support the national society in responding to the outbreak. With these funds, the national society procured and distributed vector control kits to affected communities as well as disseminated information, education and communication materials to the public.
The operation was implemented over four months, its completion at the end of September 2009. An interim report was submitted 30 June 2009. This is the interim final report of that operation. The remaining balance of CHF 4,003.88 is being booked as national society working advance and a final financial report will be published by the end of April 2010.
The International Federation, on behalf of the Cook Islands Red Cross Society would like to thank all donors and partners for their generous support to DREF.
The European Commission's Office for Humanitarian Aid (ECHO) contributed EUR 26,442 to the DREF in replenishment of the allocation made for this operation. The major donors to the DREF are the Irish, Italian, Netherlands and Norwegian governments and ECHO. Details of all donors can be found at this link:
http://www.ifrc.org/what/disasters/responding/drs/tools/dref/donors.asp.