Period covered by this update: 14 November to 10 December, 2012.
Summary: CHF 131,815 was allocated from the IFRC’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) on 31 August, 2012 to support the Democratic Republic of Congo Red Cross (DRC RC) National Society in delivering assistance to 1,727 beneficiaries fleeing armed violence in Central African Republic (CAR).
After an in-depth assessment of the situation, DREF Operation Update No 1 was published on 14 November 2012 to revise the budget from CHF 131,815 to CHF 295,691. It also extended the timeframe from 2 months to 4 months; i.e. until 31st December 2012.
From June 2012, Central African nationals that fled violence committed by armed groups in CAR, crossed the Ubangi River in their hundreds into neighbouring DRC. The DREF fund so far has enabled DRC RC to provide emergency assistance to 1,335 displaced persons, while conducting an in-depth assessment of the situation. Two (2) DRC RC staff members and 50 volunteers were trained in assessment methodology and sensitization, and assessment teams were set up that performed the in-depth situation and needs assessment in Ngele and Pandu. The data collected formed the basis for the revised plan of action including water and sanitation activities.
The volunteers also promoted hygiene awareness among the refugee families through leaflets and door-to-door visits, to reduce the risk of diseases, during the assessment. In addition, materials and items for the construction of emergency latrines and wells have been purchased and construction work will start in the coming weeks.
However, the operation has been affected by extreme logistical challenges hampering access to the two sites (Ngele and Pandu) covered by the DREF, and subsequently delaying the implementation of the last component (water and sanitation) of the DREF operation. Therefore, this DREF Operation Update No 2 is further extending the timeframe of the operation for an additional one (1) month to complete the planned activities.
This DREF operation was expected to be implemented in four (4) months, and completed by 31 December, 2012. With the time frame extension, implementation will be done over five (5) months, thus the DREF operation will be finalized 31 January 2013. In line with Federation reporting standards, the Final Report (narrative and financial) will be submitted 90 days after the end of the operation (by 31 April, 2013).
This DREF has been replenished (47%) by the Netherlands Red Cross/Government and Belgian Red Cross/Government. The major donors and partners of the DREF include the Red Cross Societies and governments of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the USA, as well as DG ECHO, the UK Department for International Development (DFID) the Medtronic, Z Zurich and Coca Cola Foundations and other corporate and private donors.
Details of DREF contributions can be found on: http://www.ifrc.org/docs/appeals/Active/MAA00010_2012.
The IFRC, on behalf of the Democratic Republic of Congo Red Cross National Society, would like to extend thanks to all partners for their generous contributions.