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 211,650 (USD 201,571 or EUR 129,450) has been allocated from the Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the National Society in delivering immediate assistance to some 5,000 beneficiaries. Unearmarked funds to repay DREF are encouraged.
Summary: The refugee population in Uganda is growing as a result of renewed fighting in eastern province of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). A prolonged conflict will result in a worsening situation that leads to increased population movement into Uganda. Over 2,500 Congolese have crossed the border into Uganda (Kisoro) over the last three days alone, bringing the total number of Congolese refugees who fled into Uganda since the beginning of August 2008, to 8,500 people. Many of these refugees are living with host families; who are over-stretching their resources. A further corridor has been opened in Kanungu district and by 31 October 2008, the number of those that had crossed into Uganda was reported to be over 500 refugees.
Recognizing that there is a need for an intervention to address the imminent crisis, Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) has requested this DREF to support polio immunization, distribution of non-food items, Emergency Health and hygiene promotion activities. The National Society is working in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) who are supporting URCS in identifying potential restoring family links (RFL) and tracing needs as well as providing essential household items (EHI) for 500 families to URCS enabling them to assist the first influx of refugees; the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) has supported the URCS Kisoro Branch with non food items (NFIs) for the initial wave of refugees and has plans to support the National Society is constructing a refugee transit centre. UNHCR will relocate refugees that arrive and register at the Kisoro Branch Office to the Nakivale Refugee Camp; the United Nations Childrens' Fund (UNICEF) which has agreed to provide polio vaccines to immunize the children, and will also provide water and sanitation support when needed; and the World Food Programme (WFP) which has contingency plans for increasing food supply to the Nakivale camp if population increases. This appeal is targeting 5,000 people.
This operation is expected to be implemented over 3 months, and will therefore be completed by 30 January 2009; a Final Report will be made available three months after the end of the operation (by 30 April 2009).