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Paraguay

Paraguay: Drought - DREF Operation Bulletin (MDRPY011)

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332,099 Swiss francs have been allocated from the IFRC’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the Paraguayan Red Cross (PRC) in delivering immediate assistance to some 2,500 families (an estimated 12,500 persons). Unearmarked funds to repay the DREF are encouraged.

Summary: On 17 January 2012, the Paraguayan government decreed a state of food security emergency after several months of drought, with levels of precipitations significantly below historical averages. As a result of the weather conditions, some 263,800 families suffered losses in their crops and will be in need of assistance for the next months.

In their auxiliary role to the government, the Paraguayan Red Cross will assist 2,500 small farmer families by providing food parcels to complement the diet of affected families for one month, and new seeds as well as technical assistance to prevent further deterioration of the current food insecurity situation.

This operation is expected to be implemented over three months, and will therefore be completed by 27 April 2012; a Final Report will be made available three months after the end of the operation (by 27 July 2012).