The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) is a source of un-earmarked money created by the Federation in 1985 to ensure that immediate financial support is available for Red Cross and Red Crescent emergency response. 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.
Summary: Following a low pressure system that caused increased rainfall and flooding in Costa Rica, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) allocated 92,709 Swiss francs on 10 December 2010 to support the Costa Rican Red Cross (CRRC) to deliver relief assistance to 1,000 affected households (approximately 5,000 people).
The DREF operations update no.1 (issued on 27 January 2011) modified the planned outcomes and number of target families. The National Society’s revised outcomes focused on delivering basic relief items to the most vulnerable people who had not been reached by other State institutions or partners, providing well cleaning to 1,300 households (approximately 6,500 people), and strengthening CRRC capacity building in damage and needs assessments.
By the end of this DREF-supported operation, and as detailed in this final report, CRRC volunteers and staff fully met its adjusted outcomes. The National Society provided relief items to 250 families (reaching at least 1,171 people) and cleaned 1,342 wells used by at least 6,340 people. Additionally, 24 CRRC volunteers received specialized training in damage and needs assessments.
The operation is now closed, with a final balance of 12,852 Swiss francs unspent that will be returned to the DREF.
The Netherlands Red Cross and Netherlands government contributed with 32,430 Swiss francs, the Canadian Red Cross and the Canadian government contributed with 14,206 Swiss francs and the Slovenian government contributed with 12,691 Swiss francs to the DREF in replenishment of the allocation made for this operation. The governments of Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands and Norway and ECHO are the principle donors to the DREF. Further details on all donors is available at: http://www.ifrc.org/what/disasters/responding/drs/tools/dref/donors.asp