Attachments
GLIDE no. FL-2009-000291-NPL
The International Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) is a source of unearmarked 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: 23 October to 30 November 2009 CHF 307,240 (USD 302,858 or EUR 202,870) was allocated from the International Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) on 19 October to support the Nepal Red Cross Society in delivering immediate assistance to some 4,000 families with non-food relief items as well as to replenish disaster preparedness stocks distributed to the affected population. Unearmarked funds to repay DREF are encouraged.
Summary: The tail end of the monsoon in October caused floods and landslides in Nepal affecting 14 districts in the mid and far-western regions, of which Kailali, Bardiya, Banke, Dadeldhura, Accham and Kanchapur districts were most affected. The disaster claimed 78 lives, affecting more than 175,000 people (29,141 families), while more than 15,000people (2,802 families) were fully displaced.
The Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) immediately provided relief assistance to the affected population through its widespread network of volunteers in the community. More than 300 NRCS trained volunteers and staff have been deployed for emergency assessment, registration of affected people, distribution of pre-stored foods and non-food relief items (including tarpaulins, blankets, kitchen sets and cloth sets) and the delivery of first aid services. In addition, the NRCS assisted in search and rescue and evacuation operations together with other local stakeholders in the districts, mainly with the district disaster relief committees (DDRC) of the government. The NRCS has also completed the detailed assessments of the affected areas.
The NRCS has been working in coordination with the Government of Nepal, international humanitarian agencies and local organizations in the relief operation. The national society has the lead role in the distribution of non-food relief items, including emergency shelter items. The NRCS is planning to assist the World Food Programme (WFP) in staple food distributions in the most affected areas, mainly in Kanchanpur and Kailali districts.
The relief operation is expected to be implemented over three months; however, the replenishment of non-food relief item stocks through local procurement (supported by DREF) is expected to be completed within six months; therefore, the timeframe for the DREF operation is extended until 19 April 2010. In line with the International Federation reporting standards, a final report will be available three months after the end of the operation (by 19 July 2010).
The Netherlands Red Cross Society has contributed EUR 20,000 (CHF 30,193) towards the replenishment of the DREF for the allocation made to this operation. This is in addition to the contribution of CAD 50,000 (CHF 49,703) received from the Canadian Red Cross/Canadian Government in replenishment of the same allocation.
The International Federation, on behalf of the Nepal Red Cross Society, would like to thank all donors and partners for their generous support to DREF.