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.
Period covered by this update: 15 to 17 September 2009.
Summary: CHF 331,705 (USD 319,632 or EUR 219,302) was allocated from the Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the Mexican Red Cross (MRC) in delivering immediate assistance to some 3,000 families on 15 September 2009.
The budget was revised to CHF 193,476 since the American Red Cross provided a bilateral contribution to the MRC consisting of 3,000 kitchen kits and 1,840 hygiene kits. Therefore, CHF 133,730 will be reimbursed to DREF.
The Canadian Red Cross kindly contributed 48,314 Swiss francs (CAD 50,000) 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 ECHO. Details of all donors can be found on http://www.ifrc.org/what/disasters/responding/drs/tools/dref/donors.asp
On 3 September 2009, Hurricane Jimena hit the coast of Baja California, Mexico as a category two hurricane. The storm caused infrastructural damages to homes, businesses, electricity, water and also affected the transportation sector. This DREF allocation will provide the Mexican Red Cross with essential relief items for immediate distribution and re-positioning of stocks.
This operation is expected to be implemented over three months, and will therefore be completed by 14 December 2009; a Final Report will be made available by 14 March 2010 (three months after the end of the operation). Unearmarked funds to repay DREF are encouraged.