Russian Federation Appeal No. 20/2002: Floods in the Northern Caucasus and South of Russia Final Report

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Launched on: 19 July 2002 for 8 months for CHF 397,000 (revised from CHF 1,267,000) to assist 12,500 beneficiaries.

Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) Allocated: CHF 50,000

Period covered: 19 July 2002 - 31 May 2003;

The financial report attached , at the end, shows a small negative balance, which is expected to be covered under an existing donor contract.

Summary

Heavy rains in the second half of June 2002 and August 2002 - the worst in 70 years - resulted in floods that caused landslides in nine regions (Adygea, Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachaevo-Cherkessia, Ingushetia, North Ossetia, Chechnya, Dagestan Republics, Stavropol region, and Krasnodar Krai) in the South of Russia. The disaster killed 231, according to Emercom (Russian Federation Ministry of Emergencies), and affected more than 335,000 people in over 370 settlements. Over 30,000 homes were destroyed or damaged. Local infrastructure was severely affected. Material loss was estimated at 19,405 million Russian Roubles (over USD 515 million). Another disaster in North Ossetia in September 2002 exacerbated the situation. An avalanche sent ice, rocks and mud showering on nearby settlements that were already struggling to recover from the floods. The Russian President criticised local authorities for their insufficient prevention measures, slow reaction and inability to meet essential needs.

On 19 July 2002, the Russian Red Cross, with International Federation support, launched an appeal for assistance to flood victims in affected areas. In October 2002, due to lack of donor interest, the budget (CHF 1,267,000 to CHF 397,000) - and consequently the operation - was revised. Assistance was provided only to the three most affected regions: Krasnodar Krai, Adygea Republic and Dagestan.

Procurement and distribution of relief goods was completed. Interviews with beneficiaries in May 2003 (please see Assessment and lessons learned section below for further details) indicated the success of the operation. However, needs remain great, and the number of vulnerable people is much greater than those who benefited from this operation.

Coordination

The Russian Red Cross and the Federation worked with Emercom (Russian Federation Ministry of Emergencies), Ministry of Health and social welfare departments at the regional and central levels. The Russian government/ Emercom established an Executive Commission in Moscow in June 2002 to lead and coordinate state and non government post-disaster assistance, including the repair of critical infrastructure. At the regional level Russian Red Cross joine d the Floods Commissions with representatives from Emercom, regional welfare departments, technical services, local administrations. Emercom provided up-to-date data throughout the operation. Russian Red Cross headquarters provided regular operation updates to the government. Locally, the Russian Red Cross confirmed beneficiary lists with social welfare departments.

Local administrations assisted it to deliver and distribute relief. UN OCHA also played a key role in coordinating international assistance. The Head of Federation Delegation (Russia) met the UN representative in the region in the initial stages of the operation to provide an update on Red Cross action and ensure coordination. Although needs in the region remain high, coordination between state and non government organisations ensured that aid reached beneficiaries effectively.

Objectives, activities and results

Health and care

State organisations assumed responsibility for maintaining public health levels in the affected regions. Free vaccination programmes against infectious diseases were conducted and the epidemiological level was stabilised. In addition, incidence of infectious diseases decreased 3% in spite of the disaster.

Relief distribution of food and basic non -food items

ECHO:

Russian Red Cross provided ECHO-funded support in Dagestan Republic. Needs were identified and relief items formulated after joint assessments by ICRC/Russian Red Cross and International Federation/ Russian Red Cross in June 2002. Tender and procurement of relief was conducted in Moscow during October and November 2002. Relief was distributed in February/ March 2003 to 6,899 beneficiaries (lonely elders, large and single-parent families, invalids) as detailed in Table 1.

The number of beneficiaries reached was greater than planned (1,200 families/5,500 beneficiaries). At the initiative of Russian Red Cross Dagestan branch distribution per household was reduced to enable more people to benefit. There were concerns of stress resulting from unequal distributions in the same neighbourhoods.

The Federation's relief and senior field officers in Russia monitored implementation throughout the operation. Please see Assessment and lessons learnt section below for details.

DREF assistance:

After an urgent request for assistance to Krasnodar Krai region from the Russian Red Cross, CHF 50,000 was immediately allocated from the International Federation's Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF). The funds enabled the purchase and distribution of 7,250 bed linen sets. A local supplier transport ed goods to targeted districts. Distribution was supervised by the local Russian Red Cross branch, with the help of local administrations. Bed linen sets were distributed in July/ August 2002 as detailed in table 2 below, in eight districts of Krasnodar Krai and one in Adygea Republic. A family of 1-3 people received one bed linen set, while a family of 4-8 people received two. Beneficiary lists were prepared in coordination with the local social welfare departments. Japanese Red Cross contributed USD 28,000, which was used to reimburse the DREF allocation.

Bilateral support:

The US Embassy, via the American Red Cross, contributed USD 50,000 for the procurement of 2,100 mattresses, 2,100 food parcels and 2,100 detergent packs for approximately 8,500 beneficiaries in eight regions of Dagestan. Food stuffs and mattresses were procured in Moscow and transported to the region by the supplier. Detergents were procured in the region because a local supplier offered a significant discount to the Red Cross. Transport costs were also lower. A family of 1-3 people received one item of each component, and families of over four people received two of each. Distributions took place during November 2002 in eight regions of Dagestan according to table 3 below:

The Swiss Department for Development and Cooperation donated bilateral funds to Russian Red Cross for purchasing of the following relief items: 11,000 bed linen sets; 11,000 blankets; 11,000 pillows; 4,000 mattresses; 1,335 kitchen sets; 5,200 hygiene kits; 200 jackets; 800 pairs of boots. The items were distributed according to the plan in Krimsky rayon and Novorossesk.

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