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 248,198 (USD 230,791 or EUR 154,803) has been allocated from the Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the national society in delivering immediate assistance to some 6,700 beneficiaries. Unearmarked funds to repay DREF are encouraged.
Summary:
Over 200,000 people have been affected by drastically diminished harvests in Moldova. This operation will support the Moldova Red Cross Society in providing supplementary food assistance to 6,700 vulnerable people in isolated rural farmsteads and villages. Priority will be given to large families, single-headed households and families with disabled members.
These groups are at increased risk of malnutrition due to the acute food shortage, depleted winter reserves and the slaughter of their livestock for cash. High inflation and low pensions/allowances (less than USD 1 per day in some cases) are fuelling the deteriorating situation.
This operation is expected to be implemented over three months and will be completed by 30 April 2008. A final report will be made available three months after the end of the operation (by 31 July 2008).
The situation
High temperatures and low rainfall over the past three years have led to severely diminished harvests in Moldova, which relies on agriculture and agribusiness for 70 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP). In recent months the socio-economic situation has deteriorated as winter reserves are used up, livestock are slaughtered and prices rocket - doubling or even tripling since the drought started in 2006.
How we work
All International Federation assistance seeks to adhere to the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO's) in Disaster Relief and is committed to the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response (Sphere) in delivering assistance to the most vulnerable.
The International Federation's activities are aligned with its Global Agenda, which sets out four broad goals to meet the Federation's mission to "improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity".
Global Agenda Goals:
- Reduce the numbers of deaths, injuries and impact from disasters.
- Reduce the number of deaths, illnesses and impact from diseases and public health emergencies.
- Increase local community, civil society and Red Cross Red Crescent capacity to address the most urgent situations of vulnerability.
- Reduce intolerance, discrimination and social exclusion and promote respect for diversity and human dignity.
Contact information
For further information specifically related to this operation please contact:
In Moldova: Larisa Byrka, President, email: redcross@mtc.md, phone: +373 22 72 96 44; Vasile Chernenky, Executive Director, email: redcross@mtc.md, phone: +373 22 72 58 24
In Kiev: Joe Lowry, Representative for Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine, phone: +38044 278 6110, email: joe.lowry@ifrc.org
In Europe Zone Office: Leon Prop, Deputy Head, Budapest, phone: 361 248 33 00; fax: 361 248 33 22; email: leon.prop@ifrc.org
In Geneva: Linda A. Stops, Operations Coordinator, phone: 41 22 730 4300, fax: 41 22 733 0395, email: linda.stops@ifrc.org
MAP - Moldova: Food insecurity (as of 4 Feb 2008) - Situation Map