GLIDE n=B0 FL-2010-000225-PAN
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) 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 and Red Crescent emergency response. 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.
Period covered by this update: 12 November to 4 December 2010.
Summary: 79,699 Swiss francs (82,608 US dollars or 59,494 Euro) were allocated from the IFRC's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) on 11 November 2010 to support the Red Cross Society of Panama (RCSP) in delivering assistance to some 645 families. Rains in Panama have continued to fall very heavily throughout the month, and during the first week in December a cold front coming in from the Pacific interacted with a system of low pressure in the Caribbean, spreading further rains into the provinces of Los Santos and Bocas del Toro. Thus far, some 19,876 persons have been affected since the onset of the rains.
Due to the current developments, the Red Cross Society of Panama and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) have expanded the operation to assist 400 further families affected by the ongoing rain and flooding with relief distributions. To support the extension, an additional 82,864 Swiss francs were allocated from the DREF fund on 4 December 2010. A total of 162,563 Swiss francs have therefore been allocated from the DREF fund for this operation.
The timeframe of the operation was extended to four months and is now expected to be completed by 10 March 2010. In line with Federation reporting standards, the Final Report (narrative and financial) is due 90 days after the end of the operation (by 9 June 2010).