GLIDE n=B02009-000265-MAR
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: CHF 200,000 (USD 188,555 or EUR 137,415) was allocated from the IFRC's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) on 18 March, 2010 to support the National Society deliver assistance to some 2,000 families (10,000 beneficiaries).
The first flash floods came in December 2009 in the region of Sousse Massa-Draa and the Gharb (Kenitra). Despite large assistance from the authorities in the provinces affected by continuous and heavy rain, the populations continued to live in a precarious environment. Hundreds of families were transported and moved into temporary shelters in the forest of Maamoura between Kenitra, Sidi Yahya and Sidi Allal Tazi Sidi Slimane. The operation of the Moroccan Red Crescent with funds from DREF has helped alleviate this hardship.
The European Union Humanitarian Office (ECHO) has financially supported this operation through a contribution to the Federation's DREF of EUR 30,000.
The remaining balance of CHF 21,541 will be returned to DREF
The situation
Statistics provided by the provincial authorities soon after the flooding and consequent overflowing of the rivers indicated that more than 6,000 mud houses had been affected. Over 6,000 families and their livestock were forced into displacement, with significant resources having to be mobilized by the civil protection, security national gendarmerie royale and the royal armed forces.
The most affected region was the Gharb plain. The Moroccan government prioritized the setting up of shelters, distributing food and non-food items as well as health services, and giving support to the agricultural sector, a major source of employment in this region of the country.