ReliefWeb

The Federation's mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity. It is the world's largest humanitarian organization and its millions of volunteers are active in over 185 countries.

In Brief

Interim Final Report; Period covered: 13 November 2006 to 5 February 2007.

History of this Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF)-funded operation: - CHF 30,470 was allocated from the Federation's DREF on 6 November, 2006 to respond to the needs of this operation. (Refer to the DREF Bulletin for more information). - This operation was implemented over 3 months, and was completed 5 February 2007.

This operation was aligned with the International Federation's 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.

Background and Summary

Approximately 500 families were left homeless after their houses were destroyed following several hours of heavy rains and strong winds on 28 October 2006 in Kigoma region, western Tanzania bordering Lake Tanganyika. Twenty eight people were injured and admitted at the government's regional hospital while several others suffered minor bruises. A school and a church were amongst the buildings that were damaged during the downpour. Household property and food stocks were also destroyed. The two worst affected suburbs in Kigoma Urban District were Kibirizi and Burarangabo, situated some five kilometers from Kigoma town, with a total population of about 15,000 people (approximately 2,000 households). An assessment by the Tanzania Red Cross National Society (TRCNS) indicated an urgent need for food, non-food items (NFIs) such as blankets, plastic sheets for temporary shelter, cooking sets, long lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLITNs), buckets, soap and roofing materials (iron sheets, timber and nails). In response to government appeals for assistance from humanitarian agencies, the TRCNS branch staff and volunteers distributed NFIs including cooking sets, buckets, blankets, LLITNs and soap to 500 most affected families in Kigoma region. They also provided roofing timbers and nails for reconstruction of houses. The TRCNS head office provided logistical support during the purchase of LLITNs, cooking sets and water buckets, and supported the Kigoma branch in the supervision and overall management of the intervention.

For further information specifically related to this operation please contact:

In Tanzania: Adam Kimbisa, Secretary General, Tanzania Red Cross National Society, Dar Es Salaam; Email: logistics@cats-net.com; phone +255.222.15.03.30; fax +255.22.25.11.47

In Kenya: Esther Okwanga, Federation Head of East Africa sub-regional office, Nairobi; Email: esther.okwanga@ifrc.org; phone +254.20.283.52.53; fax +254.20271.27.77

In Kenya: Per Jensnäs, Federation Head of East Africa Regional Delegation, Nairobi; Email: per.jensnaes@ifrc.org; phone +254.20.283.51.24; fax +254.20.271.27.77 or Youcef Ait Chellouche, Acting Disaster Management Coordinator, East Africa Regional Delegation, Nairobi; Email: youcef.aitchellouche@ifrc.org; phone +254.20.283.51.17; fax +254.20.271.27.77

In Geneva: Amna Al Ahmar, Federation Regional Officer for East Africa, Africa Department; Email: amna.alahmar@ifrc.org; phone +41.22.730.44.27; fax +41.22.733.03.95

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.

For longer-term programmes in this or other countries or regions, please refer to the Federation's Annual Appeal. For support to or for further information concerning Federation programmes or operations in this or other countries, or for national society profiles, please also access the Federation's website at http://www.ifrc.org