GLIDE n=B0 FL-2009-000235-HTI
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 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.
Summary: 105,656 Swiss francs (103,918 US dollars or 69,950 euro) was allocated from the Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) on 9 November 2009 to support the Haitian Red Cross Society (HRCS) for its initial damage and needs assessment costs as well as providing non-food items, water, cleaning kits and primary health care support to approximately 500 families.
On 20 October 2009 six communities in Haiti were deeply affected by mudslides caused by heavy rainfall from the normal seasonal rains. This DREF operation focused on providing support to the Haitian Red Cross Society in order to provide relief assistance to the most affected people in the commune of Carrefour.
This operation was expected to be completed by 6 February 2010, but a 7.7 magnitude (Mw) earthquake struck on 12 January changing the situation and challenging the humanitarian response to these families.
The Canadian Red Cross contributed 21,000 Swiss francs and the European Commission's Office for Humanitarian Aid (DG ECHO) contributed 54,000 euro 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 DG ECHO. Details of all donors can be found on http://www.ifrc.org/what/disasters/responding/drs/tools/dref/donors.asp