ReliefWeb

CHF 326,090 has been allocated from the IFRC’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) in delivering immediate assistance to some 16,370 beneficiaries (3,274 flood-affected families). Unearmarked funds to repay DREF are encouraged.

Summary: Since mid December 2012, Malawi has been receiving heavy rains and storms in many parts of the country. This has led to flash floods, and loss of lives, injuries and destruction of infrastructure, including roads, houses, school blocks and gardens. The Southern Region of Malawi is the most affected with districts of Mangochi, Phalombe, Nsanje and Zomba being the worst hit.

The total number of households affected throughout Malawi is 12,877, according to the Department of Disaster Management Affairs. To date, four deaths have been recorded. The families in the affected communities have either had their houses completely destroyed or partly damaged; crops have been damaged, livestock lost, and water sources have been contaminated. The displaced families are staying in makeshift camps with poor and inappropriate sanitation facilities.

This DREF operation will be implemented in Mangochi district for a period of three months, and will therefore be completed by May 2013. The operation will focus on provision of temporary shelter, NFI distribution, first aid and referral services, as well as hygiene promotion. Mobilization and training of 90 volunteers will support in the DREF operation. A final report will be made available three months after the end of the operation, by August 2013.

The major donors and partners of DREF include the Australian, American and Belgian governments, the Austrian Red Cross, the Canadian Red Cross and government, Danish Red Cross and government, the European Commission Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO), the Irish and the Italian governments, the Japanese Red Cross Society, the Luxembourg government, the Monaco Red Cross and government, the Netherlands Red Cross and government, the Norwegian Red Cross and government, the Spanish Government, the Swedish Red Cross and government, the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID), the Medtronic and Z Zurich Foundations, and other corporate and private donors. The IFRC, on behalf of the National Society, would like to extend thanks to all for their generous contributions.