GLIDE no. FF-2007-000185-TUN
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 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 105,000 (USD 88,975 or EUR 62,630) was allocated from the Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) on 17 October, 2007 to support the National Society in delivering assistance to beneficiaries, or to replenish disaster preparedness stocks.
This DREF Operation aimed to assist the Tunisian Red Crescent (Tunisian RC) in its efforts to assist hundred of families affected by the sudden floods.
The situation
During 13-16 October 2007, several regions of northern and eastern Tunisia were affected by torrential rains. 13 people were killed and 6,550 square meter area was affected1. 184 mm of rainfall was recorded in some regions in 10 hours time and on average 108 mm in the province of Tunis.
The flash floods occurred during the long weekend of the religious celebration of Aid, causing sudden and significant damages. Houses were destroyed; personal belongings and cars swept away; transportation services paralyzed due to the railways and roads being cut, and electricity and water supply services interrupted. In poor neighborhoods, more than 1,000 families were evacuated from their houses and temporarily hosted in public shelters.
Red Cross and Red Crescent action
Tunisian RC volunteers were the first to be present on the site, supporting affected people and immediately reporting the information to their local committee. Without delay, Tunisian RC secretary general released relief items from the NS stocks. Thanks to in kind donation from Finnish Red Cross, clothes were sent immediately to the local committee for distribution.
A national task force was immediately created by the local authorities. Tunisian RC, being part of the emergency cell, closely coordinated its emergency plan with the authorities. The disaster management department of the National Society mobilized its National Intervention Team (NIT). Three regional teams were organized under the supervision of the disaster management coordinator. Each team was assigned to a governorate under the supervision of the central committee concerned. Accurate and timely information was reported to the coordinator and shared with the headquarters and the task force.
Following an initial assessment made by the Tunisian RC and discussions with the secretary general of the National Society, the regional representation requested a DREF allocation to support affected families. Within the next few days, CHF 105,000 was released to organize Tunisian RC relief assistance to 500 most vulnerable families. Suppliers were immediately approached, and relief items needed were purchased.
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 Tunisia: Dr. Tahar Cheniti, Secretary General, Tunisian Red Crescent; phone: + 216 71 320 630; fax: + 216 71 320 151; email: hilal.ahmar@planet.tn
In Tunisia: Anne Elisabeth Leclerc, Head of Regional Representation, Regional Representation for North Africa; phone: + 216 71 862 485; fax: + 216 71 862 971; email: ae.leclerc@ifrc.org
In MENA Zone: Marwan Jilani, Head of Zone Office (temporary in Amman; phone: +962 6 562 79 34; fax: +962 6 569 45 56; email: marwan.jilani@ifrc.org; or Eduard Tschan, Deputy Head of Zone Office; phone: +962 79 504 29 22; fax: +962 6 569 45 56; email: eduard.tschan@ifrc.org;
In Geneva: Linda Stops, Operations Coordinator, Operations Coordination Team; phone + 41 22 730 4300; fax: +41 22 733 0395; email: linda.stops@ifrc.org