Glide No. TC-2008-000077-CRI
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 200,001 (USD 190,476 or EUR 122,926) was allocated from the Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) on 4 June 2008 to support the Costa Rican Red Cross and the Nicaraguan Red Cross in delivering immediate assistance to some 1,500 families (7,500 beneficiaries). The operation was originally planned to be completed in three months, but it was extended for an additional 30 days to allow the Costa Rican Red Cross (CRRC) to complete additional activities.
On 28 May 2008, Tropical Storm Alma caused torrential rain in the Central Pacific region of Costa Rica with gusts of wind up to 75 km per hour, affecting several regions. The storm later moved on to Nicaragua affecting seven departments on the Pacific coast, causing the death of three people, while several more went missing.
This DREF operation focused on meeting basic emergency relief needs including relief items such as blankets, plastic buckets, food, hygiene and kitchen kits. This final report documents the activities carried out by the National Societies and the impact the relief operation had on the beneficiaries.
At the end of this operation a total of 1,650 families (approximately 8,250 people) benefitted through the relief distributions in Costa Rica (1,150 families) and Nicaragua (500 families).
The Netherlands Red Cross (NRC), together with the Netherlands government generously contributed EUR 40,000 (CHF 65,400) to reimburse DREF funds for the emergency operation in Costa Rica and Nicaragua from its Silent Emergency Fund. The major donors to the DREF are the Irish, Italian, Netherlands and Norwegian governments and ECHO. Details of all donors can be found on http://www.ifrc.org/what/disasters/responding/drs/tools/dref/donors.asp
