The International Federation's 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 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.
CHF 119,274 (USD 113,595 or EUR 72,951)
has been allocated from the Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund
(DREF) to support the National Society in delivering immediate assistance
to some 2,500 beneficiaries. Unearmarked funds to repay DREF are encouraged.
Summary: The refugee population
in Rwanda is growing as a result of renewed fighting in the Eastern Province
of North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Rebel forces are
advancing from the north and have approached the provincial capital of
Goma. Goma is bordered on the south by Lake Kivu and on the east by Gisenyi
town in Rwanda. Presently those fleeing the fighting are crossing over
into Rwanda seeking humanitarian assistance.
A prolonged conflict will result in a worsening situation that will lead to increased population movement into Rwanda. The only avenue for direct humanitarian assistance to those fleeing Goma is through Rubavu District in Rwanda. Any escalation of hostilities will result in the mass movement of refugees into Rubavu district and urgent humanitarian intervention will be required to address the emergency needs of the refugees.
Recognizing that there is a need for an intervention to address the imminent crisis, the Rwandan Red Cross (RRC) has requested this DREF to support the pre-positioning of non-food items, hygiene promotion activities and emergency sheltering. The National Society is working in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) who are supporting the RRC in setting up systems for restoring family links (RFL); the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) which is currently relocating refugees to Nkamira Camp and providing coordination assistance and the Government of Rwanda which is developing contingency plans should current sheltering capacity become exhausted.
This operation is expected to be implemented over 3 months, and will therefore be completed by 10 February 2009; a Final Report will be made available three months after the end of the operation (by 10 May 2009). RRC will continue to monitor the situation and launch an appeal if need be.
Map: Rwanda: Population movement (as of 18 Nov 2008) - Situation Map