DREF operation Palestine, floods and heavy rains DREF operation n MDRPS007 GLIDE n FL-2013-000002-PSE 10 January 2013 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. CHF 86,975 was allocated from the IFRC s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) on 10 January 2013 to support the Palestine Red Crescent Society in delivering assistance to some 5,000 beneficiaries, and partly to replenish the used contingency stocks. Summary: The announced intensive rain and snow storms that started on January 7 th and are still striking large parts of the OPT have generated floods in several parts of the country. Until now, two persons were killed by the floods and some 130 families have been evacuated from their houses. The rains were the largest in decades, according to meteorologists. PRCS national response team deploying relief items due to the storm, Photo: PRCS The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) proactively activated its four Operation rooms since Monday in preparation for the arrival of the storm and heavy rains. It has so far provided first aid and assistance to 130 families providing non-food relief items like tarpaulins, blankets, mattresses, hygiene kits, kitchen sets, and two tents to 778 persons. With an additional two days of rain and snow storms expected for Thursday 10 th and Friday 11 th, the number of families who will need relief assistance is expected to increase. The DREF request targets both the replenishment of PRCS stocks for what has been distributed so far, and the immediate purchase and distribution of additional items (especially tarpaulins and shelter repair kits) for the continuation of the emergency. This operation is expected to be implemented in two months, and completed by 10 March 2013. In line with the Federation reporting standards, the Final Report (narrative and financial) is due 90 days after the end of the operation (by 10 June 2013).
The situation Announced by the meteorological services, the heavy rains that hit the southeast Mediterranean coast are the largest in decades. The amount of rain has filled all streams and rivers to the limit, and in some cases these have over flown. In Palestine, the heavy rains continued without interruption for more than 48 hours and by Wednesday, with dropping temperatures above 800 meters, the storms took the shape of snow storms. Some of the most affected areas are Tulkarem and Qalqilia, in the Northern region. The authorities closed all public schools as a precaution for Wednesday, and most public offices also opted to close. Despite all measures taken, the rains claimed so far at least two victims: two women were killed when their car was washed away by torrential rains, their bodies found only 24 hours later. PRCS immediately deployed rapid needs assessment teams to assess the needs of the most affected communities. Based on the initial assessments, and in coordination with the local Governorates Emergency Committee (of which PRCS is part), the PRCS volunteers started emergency relief items distribution (tarpaulins, blankets, mattresses, Hygiene kits, kitchen kits, plastic sheeting and 2 tents). The total of 130 families, or 778 persons, benefited of these distributions as of 9 January 2013. During the days of 07 and 08 January, PRCS distributed relief goods, held as emergency stocks, to 780 people in 130 families as per following table: Location/ Item Families Persons Tarpaulin Blanket Mattress Hygiene kit Kitchen kit tent Middle area Dabah 9 56 10 56 Bir Nabala 5 30 4 12 Bet Eqsa 5 26 5 13 Nabir Smuel 1 21 2 21 El Jib 1 7 2 4 Jeffna 1 10 20 10 Abu Qash (Badouin community) 6 24 6 24 Jericho 2 10 10 10 2 2 2 TOTAL middle area 30 184 29 160 20 2 2 2 Southern area Masafer Yatta 23 132 12 60 40 14 TOTAL southern area 23 132 12 60 40 14 Northern area Tubas 4 25 9 13 Al Hadidiya 1 7 4 7 TOTAL northern area 5 32 13 20 Gaza strip North Gaza strip 12 79 12 24 12 12 Middle Gaza strip 60 351 60 120 60 60 TOTAL Gaza strip 72 430 72 144 72 72 GRAND TOTAL 130 778 126 384 60 88 74 2 Some houses were flooded due to their proximity to the separation wall which impeded the rain to flow away. Other affected persons, including Bedouin refugees live in precarious structures, not able to resist flooding and other natural hazards and are now without shelter. PRCS teams are continuing needs assessments.
Coordination and partnerships PRCS is a member of the High Council of Civil Defence that was initiated by the Palestinian authorities (Civil Defence, CD) and has long been supporting the CD in contingency planning. Since the onset of the emergency there has been ongoing coordination between PRCS, the Palestinian Civil defence, UNRWA, OCHA and internally with the Federation, the ICRC. A coordination meeting to revise outstanding needs should be taking place on Thursday 10 th. A short meeting with the PNSs present in Palestine will also be held on Thursday. Red Cross and Red Crescent action Relief distributions (food and basic non-food items) Outcome: provide up to 1,000 families affected by the floods with selected non-food items Outputs and activities planned: Locally purchase 2,000 blankets, 500 mattresses, 200 kitchen kits, 200 hygiene kits, and 200 gas heaters. Replenish the PRCS emergency stocks Distribute the purchased NFIs Emergency shelter Outcome: provide up to 1,000 families affected by the floods with emergency shelter solutions Outputs and activities planned: Purchase of 10 locally produced and purchased tents for replenishment (2 distributed tents) and for Bedouin communities Purchase 2,000 tarpaulins for distribution to families whose houses have been partially damaged, 200 cleaning kits for families whose houses were flooded and 200 repair kits of tools Revive the Shelter working group for the West bank The National Society s Headquarters, in close cooperation with the IFRC Representative, will monitor the progress and provide the necessary technical expertise to the operation. Visibility of the work of the Red Crescent staff and volunteers will be ensured during the operation through the local media. DREF updates will be published later on according to the needs. Contact information For further information specifically related to this operation please contact: Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS): Dr Khaled Joudeh. Director General, Tel: +972 22406515/6/7, Fax: +972 2 2402108, Mobile: +972 599601123. Email: joudehk@palestinercs.org Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS): Basheer Ahmad, Disaster Management, Tel: +972 22406515/6/7, Fax: +972 2 2402108, Mobile: +972 599251131 Email: basheera@palestinercs.org IFRC Country Representative: Giorgio FERRARIO; office + 97222400484; Mobile + 972 59 8235888: Email: giorgio.ferrario@ifrc.org IFRC MENA Zone: Dr Hosam FAYSAL, DM Coordinator, MENA Zone; phone: +961 (0)5 956 058 ; Mobile +961 71 802 916: Email: hosam.faysal@ifrc.org
IFRC Geneva: Christine South, Operations Quality Assurance Senior Officer; Phone: +41.22.730.45 29; Email: christine.south@ifrc.org For Resource Mobilization and Pledges: In IFRC Zone: Samah Hassoun, Senior Resource Mobilization Officer, Mena Zone, Mobile: + 961 70 480 488, Email: samah.hassoun@ifrc.org For Performance and Accountability (planning, monitoring, evaluation and reporting enquiries) In IFRC Zone: Nadine Haddad, Senior PMER Officer, MENA zone, Mobile +961 70 802 775, Email:nadine.haddad@ifrc.org Click here 1. 1. DREF operation budget below 2. 2. Click here to return to the title page How we work All IFRC 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 the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response (Sphere) in delivering assistance to the most vulnerable. The IFRC s vision is to inspire, encourage, facilitate and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies, with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering, and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world. The IFRC s work is guided by Strategy 2020 which puts forward three strategic aims: 1. Save lives, protect livelihoods, and strengthen recovery from disaster and crises. 2. Enable healthy and safe living. 3. Promote social inclusion and a culture of non-violence and peace.
DREF OPERATION 10-01-13 MDRPS007 Palestine, floods and heavy rains Budget Group DREF Grant Budget CHF Shelter - Relief 16,508 Shelter - Transitional 8,737 Construction - Housing 0 Construction - Facilities 0 Construction - Materials 0 Clothing & Textiles 24,877 Food 0 Seeds & Plants 0 Water, Sanitation & Hygiene Medical & First Aid 0 Teaching Materials 0 Ustensils & Tools 5,824 Other Supplies & Services 22,083 Emergency Response Units 0 Cash Disbursments 0 Total RELIEF ITEMS, CONSTRUCTION AND SUPPLIES 78,029 Land & Buildings Vehicles Purchase Computer & Telecom Equipment Office/Household Furniture & Equipment Medical Equipment Other Machiney & Equipment Total LAND, VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT 0 Storage, Warehousing Dsitribution & Monitoring Transport & Vehicle Costs Logistics Services Total LOGISTICS, TRANSPORT AND STORAGE 0 International Staff National Staff National Society Staff Volunteers 2,426 Total PERSONNEL 2,426 Consultants Professional Fees Total CONSULTANTS & PROFESSIONAL FEES 0 Workshops & Training Total WORKSHOP & TRAINING 0 Travel Information & Public Relations 1,212 Office Costs Communications Financial Charges Other General Expenses Shared Support Services Total GENERAL EXPENDITURES 1,212 Programme and Supplementary Services Recovery 5,308 Total INDIRECT COSTS 5,308 TOTAL BUDGET 86,975 DREF Operation V2011.07