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.
CHF 193,479 has been allocated from the IFRC’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the National Society in delivering immediate assistance to some 2,700 beneficiaries. Unearmarked funds to repay DREF are encouraged.
Summary: Abundant snowmelt and heavy rains on 9-15 April raised water levels in rivers that flooded 20 settlements in Western Kazakhstan region affecting 9,000 people.
Around 300 km of roads and several thousand hectares of farmlands have been destroyed; dams, bridges, power lines, telephone lines and gas pipelines have also been damaged. More than 1,000 heads of livestock have been killed.
The government evacuated people from the floods affected areas, funds and relief items have been allocated from the government reserves to control the floods and address the consequences.
The Kazakhstan Red Crescent Society deployed its staff from the neighbouring regional branches to conduct a rapid assessment and to start up the response activities.
The National Society plans to target 600 most affected households (2,700 people) whose houses have been completely destroyed or heavily damaged and home properties have been lost. The affected people will receive basic non-food items like blankets, bed-linen sets, mattresses, towels, kitchen sets and hygiene sets, including specific items for women and children.
This operation is expected to be implemented over 3 months, and will therefore be completed by 20 July, 2011; a Final Report will be made available three months after the end of the operation (by 31 October, 2011)