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 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: 220,262 Swiss francs were allocated from the IFRC’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) on 20 October 2011 to support the Honduran Red Cross (HRC) in delivering assistance to 800 families (4,000 beneficiaries).
After almost two weeks of severe precipitations, including those caused by Tropical Depression 12-E, the Honduran government declared a state of emergency on 16 October to facilitate relief activities. The Honduran Red Cross, in its auxiliary role to the government, drew up a plan of action to provide relief support to some 5,000 families, part of which to be supported through this DREF-supported operation.
The operation, initially planned for three months, was extended until 6 February 2012, after monitoring visits carried out in the Liure Municipality (Department of Paraíso) highlighted that some indirectly affected families in this municipality had not received assistance. Some 250 families (1,336 persons) were reached through this food distribution in seven different communities. Of the total allocated DREF, 208,095 Swiss francs were spent. The balance of 12,167 Swiss francs will be returned to the DREF.
The major donors and partners of DREF include the Australian, American and Belgian governments, the Austrian Red Cross, the Canadian Red Cross and government, Danish Red Cross and government, the European Commission Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO), the Irish and the Italian governments, the Japanese Red Cross Society, the Luxembourg government, the Monaco Red Cross and government, the Netherlands Red Cross and government, the Norwegian Red Cross and government, the Spanish Government, the Swedish Red Cross and government, the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID), the Medtronic and Z Zurich Foundations, and other corporate and private donors. The Australian Red Cross and government, the Belgian government, the Canadian Red Cross, the Italian government, and the Netherlands Red Cross and government have replenished the DREF for the allocation made to this operation. The IFRC, on behalf of the Honduran Red Cross, would like to extend thanks to all for their generous contributions. The DREF has being 100 per cent replenished for the allocation made to this operation. Details of all donors can be found on: http://www.ifrc.org/en/whatwe-do/disaster-management/responding/disaster-response-system/financial-instruments/disaster-reliefemergency-fund-dref/